Publicans have warned that any move by the Government to ban smoking in pubs would be unacceptable to both customers and vintners and would result in businesses closing. They are proposing a self-regulation charter on smoking.
The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) is concerned that the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children's report on smoking and health, which will be published today, recommends a ban on smoking in all public places, including pubs, restaurants and retail outlets.
A blanket ban on smoking in pubs would not work, according to VFI chief executive Mr Tadg O'Sullivan. "Attempts by some publicans to operate non-smoking pubs have failed miserably, with one Galway pub, in particular, having to reverse its decision within a couple of weeks because customers - both smoking and non-smoking - took their business elsewhere," he said. "A ban would force many of our members' pubs to close down."
The VFI, which represents publicans outside Dublin, is anxious to introduce a self-regulatory clean air charter, similar to that operated in the UK. Under this arrangement, publicans would display a notice outside informing customers if there was air-conditioning in the pub or if it had smoking and non-smoking sections. Customers would then have the option of choosing between pubs, depending on the air quality they provided, Mr O'Sullivan said.
The VFI is tackling the air quality issue, in response to demands from its customers. The federation is currently conducting trials on a variety of air conditioning systems, including purification, ventilation, extraction and heat exchanger options.
When these trials are complete, the VFI will forward the results to its members. A number of pubs had installed ineffective systems and publicans wanted to find out what system was best before investing. A good system could cost between £4,000 and £40,000, depending on the size of the premises, Mr O'Sullivan said.
"With better ventilation you can clear the smoke while keeping both your smoking and non-smoking customers," the VFI chief said. "It is not just good for staff and customers - it also makes good business sense."
Mr O'Sullivan hoped the Government would support the VFI's charter rather than looking at restrictions which would damage business and might prove unenforceable.
"The Irish pub is one of the few places where people are still allowed to have a cigarette," he said. "While we continue to support that liberty, we have to ensure that everyone finds our premises a pleasant place to visit and spend time."
Pub customers were transitory, and publicans were anxious to respond to consumer demands, which had already resulted in improved hygiene standards and decor, and this commercial pressure would also resolve the air quality issue, Mr O'Sullivan said.