Irish pub’s voluntary cigarette ban in Hong Kong may go up in smoke
An Irish pub in Hong Kong, which was acclaimed for voluntarily introducing a no-smoking ban, is facing prosecution for sending its smokers outside.
Months after the ban was introduced in Ireland, the enterprising owner of the Dublin Jack banned smoking in his bar seeing an opportunity to court non-smokers.
Dubliner Noel Smyth was lauded in Hong Kong newspaper editorials for his move but he has received a notice for intended prosecution because alfresco smokers are causing “obstruction to the pavement”.
The government’s food and environmental hygiene department issued the proceedings saying it had received seven complaints from local residents and passersby about the blockage caused by smokers sitting on chairs outside using ashtray-covered wooden barrels.
“It is very upsetting,” Mr Smyth has said.
“We are all for the smoke-free policy, but the government is not.
“People can stand outside bars, cafes and restaurants and smoke in Lan Kwai Fong; why can’t our customers?”
He admitted his “Kick Ash” policy could be in jeopardy.
Mr Smyth has said Hong Kong punters were pouring in to his three-level pub to sink his pints.
And Mr Smyth has reported a booming trade in the Asian version of the ubiquitous Chinese takeaway.
He sells takeaway Irish breakfasts, with bacon, sausages, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans and black pudding, from his bar.
“Being an Irish pub we’ve been looking for a gimmick,” said Mr Smyth.
“This is a promotion, a way of beating the competition.
“There are 100 licensed premises in the immediate vicinity here, so to a certain extent we’ve used the changes in Ireland as an excuse.
“It’s a commercial decision.”
In another twist to the pub’s stance against smoking, another government department has entered the fray.
The Health Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) has said they will give more slimline outside litter bins with ash trays to the bar to “facilitate” the pub’s no-smoking policy.
It is not clear yet whether the HWFB move will satisfy the hygiene department.
