Concerns among publicans and customers ahead of a new law prohibiting smoking.
From midnight on 28th March 2004 under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts, it will be illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces in the Republic of Ireland. These include hotels, bars and restaurants.
The Irish Whip Bar in Ballydehob, County Cork has been a social centre for John Crowley for over 20 years. He enjoys sitting at the bar having a cigarette with his pint,
I can’t see what harm they do.
Owner of the pub Barry O’Brien reckons about half of his customers are smokers. When the smoking ban comes into force, he will be complying with the law by removing ashtrays and displaying no smoking signs. Although he plans to erect an outdoor smoking area, he is worried about how the smoking ban will impact on trade.
Kevin Barry a regular in The Irish Whip Bar, is adamant he will not go to the pub once the smoking ban comes into effect. He can drink and smoke at home,
Why bother coming here, it's as simple as that.
Another customer Kevin Heapes is a non-smoker who considers the smoking ban common sense. He thinks smokers will get used to going outside to smoke,
It’s not going to keep people out of the pubs.
A RTÉ News report broadcast on 27 March 2004. The reporter is Jennie O’Sullivan.
