World No Tobacco Day 2004-Norway institutes nationwide ban

TUESDAY 01/06/2004 15:18:31
Smoking ban hitting trade, claim vinters

Pub trade has dropped on the back of the blanket ban on smoking, bar bosses said today.
By:Press Association

The Licensed Vintners Association admitted the two-month old smoking ban had been effective but it said business was still down by around 15%.

Chief executive, Donall O`Keeffe, criticised a report hailing the new law a success.

``Figures from the Dublin trade clearly show that on average, pub revenues have been hit by between 12% and 15%,`` he said.

``While the impact is not totally uniform across Dublin pubs, make no mistake about it, the smoking ban is having a serious financial impact.``

The group, which represents almost all of the Dublin-based pubs, said Ireland`s position as the first smoke-free nation has clear implications for jobs and the economy.

``Only time will tell the true impact of the ban on the Dublin trade, early indications are not positive, the ban is hurting,`` Mr O`Keeffe said.

The report from the Office of Tobacco Control showed 97% of the premises inspected under the smoking ban were compliant with the law.

Around 66% of the inspectors` visits were to public houses and the report revealed compliance levels of 96% in pubs and restaurants, with 89% displaying the required `No Smoking` signs.

The study was based on the first month of operation of the new law, which came into place on March 29.

All workplaces are smoke free under the ban as fines of up to €3,000 (£2,400) are issued to anyone caught smoking illegally by the health inspectors policing the ban.