Saints and sinners Ireland's smoking ban

The smoking ban is reality in Ireland. What have the effects been?

Whether it’s for the craic, the booze or the music, the pub has long been the focal point of Ireland’s social life.

The Irish love good company and prefer to drink in public rather than at home. Which is probably why there are more than 11,000 drinking establishments in Ireland – and that’s not counting the thousands in Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, while you can still enjoy a quiet smoke in most of the latter British province’s pubs and bars, you’ve now as much chance of igniting your favourite cigar in Ireland as seeing a leprechaun.

The saddest day in the Irish smoker’s history was 29th March 2004, when Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce a smoking ban.

The then Minister for Health, Micheal Martin, introduced this ban with the hope of protecting Irish people from the effects of passive smoking.

Despite widespread criticism of what many considered to be a Draconian law introduced by Ireland’s ‘Nanny State’, a subsequent Irish poll by an independent consultant, Amarach, found that 89 per cent of respondents believed that the ban was a great success, with compliance standing at 97 per cent, to date.

Well, yes, you wouldn’t dream of lighting up in a country which was prepared to impose a 3,000 fine or give you three months in jail for daring to enjoy a public smoke.

According to Ireland’s National Smokers Quitline, more than 7,000 people have stopped smoking, with 10,000 stating that they have reduced their consumption. In June 2004, Ireland’s.....

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By Dominic Roskrow

Section : Cigar Trends

Page number : 16

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 4 on 10/05/2005.

This article is 88 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Saints and sinners Ireland's smoking ban The smoking ban is reality in Ireland. What have the effects been? Whether it’s for the craic, the booze or the music, the pub has long been the focal point of Ireland’s social life. The Irish love good company and prefer to drink in public rather than at home. Which is probably why there are more than 11,000 drinking establishments in Ireland – and that’s not counting the thousands in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, while you can still enjoy a quiet smoke in most of the latter British province’s pubs and bars, you’ve now as much chance of igniting your favourite cigar in Ireland as seeing a leprechaun. The saddest day in the Irish smoker’s history was 29th March 2004, when Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce a smoking ban. The then Minister for Health, Micheal Martin, introduced this ban with the hope of protecting Irish people from the effects of passive smoking. Despite widespread criticism of what many considered to be a Draconian law introduced by Ireland’s ‘Nanny State’, a subsequent Irish poll by an independent consultant, Amarach, found that 89 per cent of respondents believed that the ban was a great success, with compliance standing at 97 per cent, to date. Well, yes, you wouldn’t dream of lighting up in a country which was prepared to impose a 3,000 fine or give you three months in jail for daring to enjoy a public smoke. According to Ireland’s National Smokers Quitline, more than 7,000 people have stopped smoking, with 10,000 stating that they have reduced their consumption. In June 2004, Ireland’s..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Dominic Roskrow Section : Cigar Trends Page number : 16 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 4 on 10/05/2005. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 88 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.