Publicans told to be careful of media over smoking ban

Publicans have been warned by the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) to be "extremely careful" of how they speak to the media on the issue of the workplace smoking ban.

The warning comes three weeks after The Irish Times obtained the minutes of a VFI national executive council meeting which revealed how senior officials were told a legal challenge to the smoking ban was not advisable and then discussed what it should tell its members on the issue.

A letter sent to VFI members by the federation ahead of a special meeting on the smoking ban in Portlaoise tomorrow warns members to be careful of how "we allow the media treat us".

VFI chief executive Mr Tadg O'Sullivan wrote: "We would urge all members attending this meeting to be extremely careful of how they treat the media and what comments they would make to the media. Many commentators will be again seeking the most disruptive or destructive statement they can find."

At tomorrow's meeting VFI members will be advised as to how they should deal with the smoking ban. The meeting will be closed to the media. A meeting of the national executive council will follow, after which the media will be briefed by the federation.

Mr Joe Browne, VFI president, said publicans expected to receive in the post today guidelines from the Office of Tobacco Control on the enforcement of the smoking ban.