Vintners
Opposition to smoking ban
The national executive of the Vintners Federation has been urged to ask all publicans to withhold VAT payments as a protest against the introduction of the smoking ban in public houses.
At a meeting attended by over 1000 members in Portlaoise this afternoon, the VFI was also urged to run candidates in the local and European parliament elections next summer in protest over the ban.
Several delegates asked the VFI to stage a march to Lenister House and show the government that the new laws are unenforceable.
After the meeting the VFI chief executive Tadhg O'Sullivan said the national executive would consider all the proposals and take legal advice before deciding what steps to take in their campaign of opposition to the ban.
It is due to come into force at the end of January.
