Greetings All,

Here in New York it was thought that banning smoking in the Pubs would be the death of the industry. Speaking from first hand experience in the pubs I frequent there has been no drop in business. Quite the opposite I must say. I would look to sales of the nectar and brew to see if there has been a drop off in business. I am sure there are those Publicans that have suffered from the ban but over all I would imagine that overall business in Ireland has kept up just as business here has.

I am not in favor of telling others what they can and cannot do. That said, I am also not in favor of the actions of some threatening the health of others. Since those that smoke can go outside to do so I feel the ban is the best compromise between health and personal choice. I smoked three packs of Marlboro a day for over thirty years and yet after five years of non-smoking I wouldn't call my self an ex-smoker. I just don't smoke at this time. I certainly appreciate not smelling like an ashtray when I return from a night's playing in the Pub.

Peace,
Ed