Madam, - ASH Ireland noted the recent media reports on the tragic murder of a bouncer in New York for asking a customer to stop smoking.
It is pathetic to see the Vintners Federation of Ireland and others using this tragic event to attempt to block the Minister of Health's initiative to have clean air in Irish pubs. Perhaps the "anti clean air" group might also focus on the fact that this New York smoker was carrying a knife, which he used to kill someone. To suggest that Irish smokers will commit murder because they are asked to extinguish their cigarettes is grossly unjust to smokers, most of whom are responsible people, and takes debate to a new low.
Each year 7,000 Irish people die from smoking-related illness. Perhaps the "anti clean air" group should focus on this fact and a bit less on one factor which may have contributed to a personal tragedy in New York. - Yours, etc.,
Dr FENTON HOWELL, Chairman, ASH Ireland, Northumberland Road,
Dublin 4.