Madam, - The Minister for Health might wish to reconsider his March 29th smoking ban if he were aware of the likely consequences.
In parts of California where a ban has been enforced for some time, chewing tobacco has reappeared in the shops. And in saloon bars, spittoons - not seen for almost a century - have already replaced the redundant ashtrays.
Does the Minister really wish us to eat and drink in premises where disintegrating globules of mucus and germ-laden tobacco juice describe parabolic trajectories through the surrounding air, viscous missiles seeking, with all the accuracy of a pre-technological age, the nearest spittoon; in bar rooms where the walls are stained, the floors covered with sawdust, and embryonic stalactites drip their poison from the ceilings?
Is this a healthy environment for customers and employees?
No tourist would venture into such a place. Strong men - even such as hold high Government office - might hesitate on the threshold, while visiting nursery maids accidentally exposed to such scenes could well be traumatised for life. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN R. BURTON,
Derrycreigh,
Glengarriff,
Co Cork.