Smoking ban will not hurt pub industry, says Martin

Objective data shows there is no link between smoking prohibition laws and reduced trade in the hospitality industry, the Minister for Health said today.

Mr Martin said prior to the implementation of the ban on workplace smoking the arguments of all concerned had been taken on board.

Addressing the inaugural meeting of 17 health groups and unions supporting the ban, Mr Martin said as Minister for Health the harmful effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) were seen every day.

He described the ban as a "tremendous gift that we can give to the younger generation". He said young people in schools at the moment won't worry about smoking in pubs when they get to 18 or 20 years of age because it won't be an issue for them.

At a meeting with publicans' representatives last night, Mr Martin refused to consider a compromise on the ban. The regulations banning smoking in all workplaces, including pubs and restaurants are to be signed next week.

Mr Martin was addressing a coalition of health organisations and unions led by ASH Ireland, the Irish Heart Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society. They have been joined by 14 other bodies including the main doctors, nurses and health workers' unions.

He also paid tribute to the cross-party support he has received for the proposal. Among the politicians attending the meeting were Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent, Minister of State Tom Parlon and Minister of State at the Department of Health Mr Tim O'Malley.

The chairman of ASH Ireland, Prof Luke Clancy, said he failed to understand the point being made by the publicans' lobby. "I do not know where the vintners are coming from, this [ban] has to be good for their customers and staff."

He also suggested that a number of publicans' were refusing to acknowledge the damage caused by ETS. "It kills. It increases the risk of lung cancer in co-workers by 20 to 30 per cent and is linked to other cancers such as leukaemia and cancer of the bladder and brain.

"ETS also increases the risk of heart disease in co-workers by 25 to 30 per cent", he said.

Forming the pro-smoking ban group was in part a reaction to the heavy lobbying of Government and TDs by the Vintners' Federation of Ireland and the Hospitality Industry Alliance who are seeking a compromise on the ban due to be introduced in January 1st, 2004.