Smokers are still unhappy about ban

March 2005

Twelve months after the implementation of the smoking ban, publicans in Wexford are still hearing daily grumbles from customers who have to go outside to light up.

‘People are still grumbling about it, without a doubt,’ said County Vintners PRO, Des Whelan, who maintains that publicans without beer garden facilities have been hardest hit by the legislation.

‘I think people have a problem with the ban, because of the lack of facilities in some pubs. Publicans who are landlocked and don’t have the room to make an outdoor facility have been hit badly because people, and women especially, don’t like to go out on the street to smoke,’ he said.

He adds that punters become most vociferous about the anti-smoking legislation when the weather is inclement.

‘Most people don’t mind sitting out in a nice beer garden when the sun shines. That all changes though in the winter, when the weather gets bad.’

And while staff are enjoying a smoke-free atmosphere inside the pub, Des fears that the downturn in trade could ultimately affect jobs.

‘ The taxation on drink in this country is the highest in Europe, and last year the pub stopped being a family-friendly place with the 9 p.m. watershed for children. Combine this with the smoking ban, and people are starting to drink at home,’ he said.

Nevertheless, despite the grumbles, Des notes that the implementation of the smoking ban was ‘very smooth’.

‘ There was no hassle implementing it. The public have been excellent, and most people are compliant. I think people just accept it now as a fact of life,’ he said.