- Title: IRELAND: IRELAND PREPARES FOR SMOKING BAN
- Date: 18th March 2004
- Summary: (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 E
- Embargoed: 2nd April 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: DUBLIN, IRELAND
- City:
- Country: Ireland
- Topics: Health
- Reuters ID: LVACAUCIVNO3SW2JKIXTYKMHJ9DV
- Aspect Ratio:
- 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 his 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. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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