Ashes to Ash

I’M not in the habit of giving ministers advice but I believe there is a great opportunity being missed to diffuse the anger felt by the hospitality industry and others over the proposed smoking ban.

My suggestion is to change the implementation date of the new smoking act from New Year to Ash Wednesday. Firstly, it will give more time to the minister to come to a sensible compromise and allow him to shift position a little out of the public heat and glare.

Secondly, on a political level, Ash Wednesday is a great day for a new smoking law because many people are trying anyway to give up smoking for Lent and health reasons. It could get many of the public, especially smokers, on side, thus making the publicans’ enforcement efforts a little easier.