Irish government gets tough on smoking pubs
19 July 2004
Publicans in Ireland have been warned they will have their licences revoked if they defy the country's smoking ban.
The warning comes after the Fibber Magees pub in Galway openly allowed customers to smoke on the premises following a 60% decline in sales since the smoking ban was introduced in March. The pub has since backed down.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said the Gardai would be told to lodge court objections to publicans suspected of flouting the smoking ban.
In the UK, a new survey from online booking service Toptable.co.uk reported that more than half of diners would welcome a total smoking ban in restaurants. Only 12% of respondents said they would eat in restaurants with smoking areas.
