- Title: IRELAND: IRELAND PREPARES TO BAN SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE.
- Date: 18th March 2004
- Summary: (EU) DUBLIN, IRELAND (MARCH 10, 2004) (REUTERS -- ACCESS ALL) 1. IRISH MUSICIANS PLAYING TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC IN DUBLIN PUB 2. MUSICIAN PLAYING IRISH BAGPIPES 3. MUSICIAN PLAYING TIN WHISTLE 4. CLOSE UP OF BATON BEATING AGAINST IRISH DRUM 5. GROUP OF MUSICIANS PLAYING TUNE 6. GROUP OF MEN CLINKING PINT GLASSES OF GUINNESS AND LAGER BEER TOGETHER 7. CLOSE UP OF MEN IN GROUP SMOKING 8. MAN LIGHTING CIGARETTE AND PICKING UP PINT OF BEER 9. IRISH GOVERNMENT TV AD ADVISING VIEWERS OF UPCOMING SMOKING BAN. SHOWS WAITRESS WORKING IN CAF AND MAN WORKING BEHIND COUNTER. ALSO SHOWS GRAPHICS OF HEART AND LUNGS WITH WARNINGS OF DISEASES CAUSED BY SECOND- HAND SMOKE. VOICE OVER IN ENGLISH: "On March 29th enclosed work places become smoke free by law. Why? Because second hand smoke causes serious and fatal diseases. So even if you're not working, remember I am, and he is too. Smoke free works. Smoke free by March 29." 10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRISH MINISTER OF HEALTH MICHAEL MARTIN SAYING: "And again we were very high up the European league table in cancer deaths in Ireland. So there's a very strong public health agenda here that we would actually improve the health standards of the Irish people here. And that we would increase the life span of Irish males and Irish women compared to the European average, and we are below the European average at the moment." 11. EXTERIOR VIEW OF GROGAN'S PUB IN CENTRAL DUBLIN WITH OLD GREEN IRISH LETTER BOX AND SCOOTER 12. BARMAN IN GROGAN'S PUB POURING PINTS OF GUINNESS 13. CUSTOMERS SITTING AT TABLES IN PUB DRINKING AND SMOKING HEAVILY 14. GROGAN'S REGULAR CUSTOMERS PETER CONWAY AND TONY RYAN SITTING AT TABLE DRINKING BEER AND SMOKING 15. CLOSE UP OF CONWAY DRAWING A DEEP DRAG FROM CIGARETTE AND BLOWING SMOKE FROM HIS MOUTH 16. CLOSE UP OF RYAN SMOKING 17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REGULAR CUSTOMER PETER CONWAY SAYING: "Well I'm totally against the smoking ban myself. I think its an infringement on personal liberties, and people who like to smoke should be allowed to smoke." 18. CLOSE UP OF CIGARETTE IN ASHTRAY 19. CLOSE UP OF BLUE SMOKE WAFTING THROUGH PUB 20. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CUSTOMER PETER CONWAY SAYING: "I think its too politically correct. It may be all right for America and places like that but the Irish mentalityI don't think we'll accept it." 21. ASHTRAY, BEER AND PACKET OF CIGARETTES ON TABLE WITH WARNING ON PACKET READING: "SMOKERS DIE YOUNGER" 22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GROGAN'S REGULAR CUSTOMER TONY RYAN SAYING: "To a certain degree it's a form of intrusion on people's civil liberties. And all the anti-smoking people would say the opposite that we're intruding on their civil liberties not to smoke. I think that if pubs were actually properly ventilated it would work and there's been evidence to suggest that can be done." 23. CLOSE UP OF PINT GLASS OF GUINNESS FILLING AT TAP 24. BARMEN BEHIND BAR AT REGISTER 25. CLOSE UP OF CASH REGISTER DRAWER OPENING 26. CLOSE UP OF BAR MAID WIPING ASHTRAYS CLEAN 27. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF DUBLIN LICENSED VINTNERS' ASSOCIATION DONALL O'KEEFFE SAYING: "We are now faced with a situation where we are forced to take a very stern line with our smoking customers. We are going to be advising them that they cannot smoke and that makes their visit that little bit less satisfying that little bit less relaxing and we are that little bit less welcoming." 28. EXTERIOR VIEW OF MAGUIRE'S PUB ON BAGGOT STREET 29. CLOSE UP OF PUB SIGN FEATURING PAINTING OF PINT OF GUINNESS 30. WORKMEN ATTACHING LARGE OUTDOOR ASHTRAY TO WROUGHT IRON RAILING FENCE NEXT TO PUB DOOR 31. (SOUNDBITE) (English) OWNER OF MAGUIRE'S PUB TED O' SULLIVAN SAYING: "I think that the smoking ban that's now coming into effect will be good for the country in general. It'll be good for the hospitality industry. A lot of foreigners come to Dublin and I think they will appreciate the fact that they can come into a no smoke environment, enjoy their drink, enjoy their coffee and be healthier as a result." 32. INTERIOR OF PUB BUSY WITH CUSTOMERS DRINKING 33. TWO YOUNG MEN IN BUSINESS SHIRTS AND TIES SITTING AT BAR DRINKING AND SMOKING 34. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CUSTOMER GARETH EDWARDS SAYING: "Well I mean I myself as a smoker am trying to quit smoking and the worse possible place, the most temptation lies when I'm in a pub when there's a smoky atmosphere. So I mean personally, as someone who's trying to quit, I think it is a good thing." 35. CLOSE UP OF SECOND MAN AT BAR DRAWING DEEPLY FROM A CIGARETTE 36. GARETH EDWARDS RAISING PINT GLASS OF BEER AND CIGARETTE TO MOUTH AND TAKING DRINK 37. CLOSE UP OF CIGARETTE BEING STUBBED OUT IN ASHTRAY Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 2nd April 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: DUBLIN, IRELAND
- Country: Ireland
- Reuters ID: LVAG8GAOXNRC8FO08V5QPX97VYE
- Story Text: Ireland prepares for smoking ban in the workplace to
go into effect at the end of March.
Many people are familiar with the atmosphere of a
real Irish pub. There's traditional music, pints of the
dark beer Guinness all around, and customers smoking
cigarettes. The Irish pub is often seen as a friendly and
convivial place.
But one element of traditional pub life will disappear
March 29th. The Irish government is banning smoking in
enclosed workplaces. Pubs, restaurants, offices and hotels
will all become smoke-free environments.
The Irish government's studies reveal second hand smoke
as a cause of heart disease. The government also sites
startling statistics as part of its reason for the ban.
Ireland leads the European Union in cases of heart disease.
The small nation has many cases of lung, throat and head
cancer. The Republic is near the top of European tables in
cancer deaths. And smoking-related illnesses and treatment
cost the nation of 4 million people over one billion Euro
each year.
Health Minister Michael Martin says: "We were very high
up the European league table in cancer deaths in Ireland.
So there's a very strong public health agenda here that we
would actually improve the health standards of the Irish
people here. And that we would increase the life span of
Irish males and Irish women compared to the European
average, and we are below the European average at the
moment."
There has been an outcry about the ban throughout
Ireland and the capital city, Dublin. Here at Grogan's in
central Dublin smoking seems as obligatory as drinking
Guinness, the famous dark Irish beer. Regulars Peter Conway
and Tony Ryan have been coming to Grogan's for years for
their daily pints, a friendly chat, and a smoke or two.
They are not amused by the prospect of having their leisure
time interfered with by the government. Peter Conway leaves
no doubts about his position on the ban. "I'm totally
against the smoking ban myself. I think its an infringement
on personal liberties, and people who like to smoke should
be allowed to smoke," he says.
He also thinks that shabeens, or Irish speakeasies,
like the illicit bars of Prohibition-era America, may open
for people like himself. He sees the ban as being better
implemented across the sea.
"I think its too politically correct. It may be all
right for America and places like that but the Irish
mentalityI don't think we'll accept it," Conway says after finishing
hi
s cigarette.
Drinking partner Tony Ryan has similar sentiments about
the ban as well as an alternative: "To a certain degree
it's a form of intrusion on people's civil liberties. And
all the anti-smoking people would say the opposite that
we're intruding on their civil liberties not to smoke. I
think that if pubs were actually properly ventilated it
would work and there's been evidence to suggest that can be
done."
Its estimated that Irish pubs could lose eight to
twenty percent of their current trade. Three to eight
thousand jobs may be lost in the business, and 70 to 200
million Euros will be lost from tax income. Additionally,
bar staff will have to enforce the ban, asking long-time
customers to stop long-time habits. Some see the soul going
out of the Irish pub.
"We are now faced with a situation where we are forced
to take a very stern line with our smoking customers. We
are going to be advising them that they cannot smoke and
that makes their visit that little bit less satisfying that
little bit less relaxing and we are that little bit less
welcoming."
Not everyone is against the ban. In Dublin's popular
after office hours district of Baggot Street, Maquire's pub
is welcoming the ban and preparing for its consequences.
Pubs will be able to offer outdoor smoking areas. The pub's
owner Ted O'Sullivan supports the ban.
"I think that the smoking ban that's now coming into
effect will be good for the country in general," said
O'Sullivan. "It'll be good for the hospitality industry. A
lot of foreigners come to Dublin and I think they will
appreciate the fact that they can come into a no smoke
environment, enjoy their drink, enjoy their coffee and be
healthier as a result."
Many people in this part of town seem to have cut their
smoking in anticipation of the ban. Younger people from the
capital's suit and tie crowd are preparing to embrace it.
"Well I mean I myself as a smoker am trying to quit
smoking and the worse possible place, the most temptation
lies when I'm in a pub when there's a smoky atmosphere. So
I mean personally, as someone who's trying to quit, I think
it is a good thing," said Gareth Edwards, a customer.
The Irish will still frequent their pubs after the ban
takes effect. And Dublin's robust nightlife will surely
survive any momentary or slight loss of customers. But
whether people like it or not the ban will take effect on
March 29th, and Irish pubs won't quite be the same again.
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