It was amusing (briefly) to see all the patrons standing outside the Starry Plough in Berkeley(California, where a total ban on smoking INSIDE such establishments is currently law). As soon as the band was ready to play (and were done with their smokes) all trooped back inside to continue an evening's enjoyment (drinking and singing and etc.). True, smoker's will adapt. To which I say hurrah! The ability to adapt is crucial to survival.

I smoked for many years. It took me EIGHT years to quit (fits and starts) and finally good old "cold turkey" did the trick. That was back on July 26th, 1975.

I still get an urge to smoke every once and a while.

It is an addiction. NO QUESTION about it. The ban in bars and pubs in California may be unfair to smokers but to those of us who have quit it is a help to stay smoke free and still enjoy a night out.

That said, I think that the ban on smoking in Republic of Ireland pubs is just another way to keep a united Ireland from happening.

I can't imagine that any but the most fanatical of Republicans in the North ever opting for joining the "smokeless 26"!

CB