Sir, - There is discussion of restricting smoking in pubs, and there is already legislation purporting to provide for smoke-free areas in restaurants. I have been in some 40 restaurants from Dingle to Dublin this year; only two of these were complying with the legislation; no one I have asked has ever encountered any inspection or enforcement measures.
As an asthmatic, my health is particularly threatened by other people's tobacco smoke, and I would certainly like to enjoy the right to breathe air unpolluted by such smoke in pub and restaurant alike. At the same time I recognise the right of smokers to smoke and to take their own decisions regarding their own health.
It should be possible to strike a reasonable balance between the competing rights, but legislation cannot be effective if it is disregarded and unenforced. - Yours, etc.,
Steve McDonogh, Churchfield House, Lispole, Co Kerry.