Madam, - I refer to recent letters in your letters page and editorial concerning the opposition to the smoking ban legislation and quest for compromises, primarily from the newly formed Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance. At the moment it would appear that the anti-ban lobby focuses on so-called "devastating" economic implications based on the New York experience, "infringement" of smokers' rights and Ireland fast becoming a "communist dictatorship".
The pro-health lobby group is supporting this legislation in its entirety.
The pro-health arguments regarding the carcinogenity of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), as well as its contribution to the development of heart disease and other respiratory problems, are well documented and indeed accepted by the anti-ban lobby. Even the most determined of smokers must accept that their habit is damaging to those around them.
The anti-ban lobby's arguments, however, have moved away from issues of public health to a different, more complex and definitely more speculative level and such arguments are, as yet, unsupported by independent, scientifically credible evidence.
Arguments alleging a down-turn in business and job losses quote "surveys" of individual bar staff based in New York, which only saw the implementation of the full smoking ban last March. Most of these surveys are based purely on opinions and conjecture, are subject to manipulation and even those that seem initially to be scientifically justifiable, based on tax and employment data, have been found when reviewed to be grossly exaggerated or plainly wrong.
Such data are also continuously refreshed and rehearsed by the opposition to fight this legislative battle.
Interestingly, the anti-ban lobby has failed to mention a major June 2003 study from Cornell University.
This study of taxable sales and employment in five New York localities (four counties plus New York City and its boroughs) which had passed bans since 1995, found that as of December 2002 "statistically significant increases in eating and drinking and hotel taxable sales were associated with the presence of the smoke-free regulations".
It also has failed to mention data released by the New York Department of Labour, which showed that job growth between March and June 2003 in New York City's hospitality sector surpassed job growth during the same period a year earlier.
The anti-ban lobby also presents arguments regarding infringement of smokers' rights, the proposition that smokers are being "demonised" by the Minister for Health and Children and that other competing rights should have an absolute right over occupational safety.
Passive smoking kills. We all have a right not to have to inhale other people's smoke and be safe in environments we all frequent.
As to whether smokers are being "demonised" by the Minister using a dictatorship style; that we doubt.
The Minister is just trying to introduce a progressive piece of legislation that protects existing and future populations and reduces the devastating scourge of cancer and heart disease that fills our hospitals and homes.
Such protection will be the only certain outcome of this legislation. - Yours etc.,
JANE CURTIN,
Communications Manager,
Irish Cancer Society,
Northumberland Road,
Dublin 4.
Madam, - The publicans are correct in asserting that the smoking ban will fail. There is no other body of worthies better qualified to advise the public on unenforceable law.
They have long maintained that serving alcohol to minors, drunks and drivers cannot be policed by them nor should they be even responsible for it.
Once someone is buying their goods a publican cannot but adhere to the principle of "the customer is always right".
It is really down to Mr McDowell to solve this awful mess. Completely deregulating the sale of this addictive and destructive drug, alcohol, should lead to real and cut-throat competition. Another five to ten thousand pubs should have a very positive effect on publicans.
Non-smoking pubs should begin to appear, as publicans keen to attract customers in a competitive market will begin to specialise.
A publican worried about his profit margin is the only guarantee of a smoke-free pub. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL BOWLER,
Charvey Court,
Rathnew,
Co Wicklow.
Madam, - The Irish hospitality industry has been warning of the dire consequences of the smoking ban because it believes if people can't smoke then they won't drink either. . .
Am I missing something or is this not a good idea for a nation that drinks too much anyway?
Two reductions of harmful drugs for the price of one. - Yours etc.,
GAVIN TOBIN,
Ethos Technology Ltd.,
Greenogue Business Park,
Rathcoole,
Co Dublin.