The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) has today come out strongly against proposals to ban smoking in pubs.
Speaking at the Federation's 30th Annual Conference in Limerick, the Federation’s newly elected President Mr Joe Browne, said the proposal was outrageous as well as unenforceable and unworkable.
According to Mr Browne, a ban on smoking in pubs would transform Ireland's world famous pub tradition into anti-septic Californian-type premises.
"Ireland trades on the Irish pub when promoting Ireland abroad and one of the key selling points is the quintessentially relaxed pub atmosphere.
"Tourists want to visit the Irish pubs portrayed in books, films and ads - busy, friendly, full of ambience and atmosphere - not bleak empty establishments with more patrons on the streets outside smoking than inside the premises," he said.
The VFI maintains that a blanket ban on smoking would be impossible to police and that the livelihoods of 65,000 people employed in the trade is at risk if such a proposal becomes law.
"If the Government is so adamant in its approach to improving the nation's health through reducing the incidence of smoking, why doesn't it channel the massive taxes it makes on cigarettes into health educational programmes.
"For every pack of 20 cigarettes sold in Ireland, the Government receives 79 per cent of the price in tax receipts. Last year alone, the Government benefited to the tune of €1.1 billion from tax on cigarettes. Banning smoking in pubs is a soft option for them rather than tackling the core issue of assisting people give up cigarettes through funding health awareness campaigns," said Mr Browne.
Mr Browne recommends that the hospitality industry, including the pub trade, develop a common position on smoking on premises, which should be used in negotiations with the Minister of Health.
"It will take all our powers of persuasion over the coming year to show the new Minister for Health, TDs and the Health Boards that publicans are serious about making improvements...
"There seems to be a move to railroad a ban into the country with no thought to the implementation of the law or the serious adverse affect the law could have on the future of the Irish pub" said Mr Browne.
