Issue No.15 Winter 2003

Smokeless Rules

By Eugene Byrne

Every smoker I have known has at sometime tried giving up the deadly weed usually as a new-year resolution, ending in a puff of smoke by mid-January. Next year 2004 the smokers of Ireland will be helped in no small way to stick to their resolutions by the ban on smoking in the workplace including bars and restaurants being imposed by the Irish Government. The minister for health Michael Martin’s record on public health has been anything but impressive to date, but overall his critics and most observers have welcomed the Government decision to implement this important initiative in line with European regulations.

Cigarettes are an addictive drug, which are both harmful to the user and those who breathe in the air that they pollute. Lung cancers from passive smoke are on the increase and are now one of the most common cancers in the developed world. In Ireland each year 7,500 people die from smoke related diseases, smokers are aware of the risks attached to the habit and it is their right to take that risk but not at the expense of others and they must accept the harm passive smoke can cause. For years now certain public places like hospitals have had a smoking ban and to give credit to all involved this has been adhered to. It is a ludicrous situation where people can travel to work by bus or train in a smoke free zone to be then confronted by workmates who smoke in their immediate vicinity.

Some countries around the world have already prohibited smoking in all indoor workplaces and Ireland is only following a European directive. Naturally there is opposition to this plan with even some ministers voicing their concerns about the workability of the ban. The vintner’s federation of Ireland remain the largest lobby group in opposing the measures, citing implementation and enforcement problems for their staff, loss of customers with a drop off in trade as their major concerns. Publicans are preparing to wage all-out war against the controversial ban and have threatened to withhold VAT payments as one possible weapon. I believe it is widely recognised that it will take a period of adjustment for this thing to work properly as old habits die hard.

The person who has been attending his local for a pint or two on Friday night will probably still go to his pocket for a cigarette and publicans and those in the hospitality industry will have to look at ways of meeting these customers’ needs, after all there are presently in place laws and restrictions in certain bars concerning prams and buggies that don't in any way pose a health hazard. We are now living in a more health conscious society where people expect the state to invest as much interest and resources in the health of its people as it does in the health of its economy. Smokers too have a big responsibility on their shoulders in the coming months and some leeway will be expected and given. But the sooner they fully respect others’ wishes the sooner we can all breathe more easily.

The views expressed by our contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect that of the editorial committee.

Back to Contents