Why the pubs are quiet and tourists stay away

WHAT a pity Noel Whelan’s column on the smoking debate was so biased (Irish Examiner, June 23).

I can guarantee him that the smoking ban is a major factor in the fall in pub business. We smokers know that only too well. Instead of going to the pub twice a week I now go once a month.

To what does Mr Whelan attribute the increase in house fires in Ireland? It’s hardly global warming.