Madam, - I believe there is a great opportunity to defuse the current anger felt by the hospitality industry and others over the proposed smoking ban.
My suggestion is to change the date of the new regulations from New Year to Ash Wednesday. First, that would give the Minister more time to come to a sensible compromise and shift his position a little out of the public heat and glare.
Second, Ash Wednesday would be a great day for a new smoking law because many people will be trying anyway to give up smoking for Lent and for health reasons. This date could help get many of the public, especially smokers, on side, thus making the publicans' enforcement efforts a little easier. - Yours, etc.,
LARRY KELLY, Long Mile Bar & Bistro, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.