To disbelief of puffing pub-goers, Ireland plans to ban their habit March 29: Francie O'Connor has been coming into smoke-filled Dublin pubs as long as he can remember, once at his father's side, now at his son's. For him, a pint and a cigarette go hand in hand. No longer. Inspired by similar restrictions in California and New York City, Ireland will become the first country in Europe to crack down on public smoking, the government announced Wednesday. As of March 29, smoking will be forbidden in all enclosed workplaces -- including the country's 10,000 pubs.
The concept of smoking being banned in a type of facility nationwide is just peculiar. Especially in Europe; I was under the impression that they consider the American style of antismoking laws to be rather fascistic, really. This is considerably more draconian than anything we would even try.
That said, although I can understand the pub owners' concerns that it would drive their customers away, it's hard to figure out where this would drive their customers to, if you see what I mean. You don't go to a pub just to smoke while you drink.
Posted by iain at February 18, 2004 01:49 PM
