Millions lost due to smoking ban

alleepally

I didn't know whether to post this in comedy or not. Isn't it funny that it's a healthcare group (BUPA) who are the conference organisers. Makes a mockery of their advertising encouraging customers to lead a healthy lifestyle.

http://www.online.ie/news/latest_irish/viewer.adp?article=3116419

flogen

what a joke, surely a healtcare group like BUPA would be delighted to hold a conference is such a health-safe enviroment, and would like to show encouragment for such a ban which is bound to help peoples health....

...... oh wait... I forgot they were a company only interested in money (and pleasing the company big-wigs who provide it)

Flogen

p.pete

It's fair enough for BUPA as a multinational to have made this decision but totally disgusting as a healthcare company. It would be nice to see them set an example and back the smoking ban (the money in the Burlingtons coffers is of secondary importance), instead it makes them look very synical unfortunately.

mneylon

Originally posted by p.pete
instead it makes them look very synical unfortunately.

I disagree entirely.

The smoking ban was yet another example of the junk that the FF govt have come up with in a pathetic attempt to deflect public opinion away from real issues.
By imposing a draconian ban the govt. may have won "brownie" points in some quarters but will have successfully damaged large portions of the economy that rely on tourism etc.
The flipside is that NI is probably gaining as a result.

leonotron

Yeah I know what you mean, instead of going into Dublin city at the weekends I now go up to Belfast to spend my cash, it's poxy dear getting a taxi home though

RasTa

All us smokers like standing outside when the weather is like this anyway! Have a good old waffle aswell with people you wouldnt talk to inside the pub.

Stuff

Well if the pibs etc are so concerned about the loss in revenue and people not going out drinking anymore why dont they offer incentives like cheaper drink. Any other industry would tackle something like this buy cutting prices to encourage people back, but no, they'd rather whinge about it. And according to two pubs I regularly drink in, they are up money as a result of families now coming in regularly.

leonotron

The money is still in the country, it's not like people are burning the money instead of going to the pub. Maybe people are going out on Sundays instead of sellfishly cooping their kids up in pubs. So what if someone else makes money instead of the greedy publicans

vinnyfitz

TBH I do not believe this report.
No source quoted, no back up, no confirmation or denial from BUPA.
Is any more credible media running with it?

alleepally

Originally posted by vinnyfitz
TBH I do not believe this report.
No source quoted, no back up, no confirmation or denial from BUPA.
Is any more credible media running with it?

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/05/18/story148146.html

vinnyfitz

Anti-smoking group ASH has criticised BUPA’s decision to cancel a major conference in Dublin because of the Government’s workplace smoking ban.

Spokesman Luke Clancy said: "If it is true that they are not coming because of the smoking ban, one would have to ask what their interest in healthcare is.

"Everybody knows that smoking is the main health challenge in the Western world. We also know that environmental tobacco smoke is the third-most preventable cause of death, so why is it that an organisation that professes to be interested in health and in keeping people healthy would not come because of the smoking ban?"

If its true.... said Clancy - but is it?

alleepally

I bow to your better newshound instinct vinnyfitz... BUPA just released a press statement. caveat for me is never believe anything. i'm too gullible.


http://www.bupaireland.ie/news/press/pressreleases_180504.htm

flogen

vinnyfitz, your a true sceptic, and a good one too!

I am too quick to jump the gun.

Flogen

pro_gnostic_8

Lads, will yiz get a grip???

BUPA re-locating their company get-together back to the UK isn't an endorsement of smoking. Rather, it is a recognition that SOME of their employees who DO smoke would be marginalised and victimized by the present draconian smoking regulations imposed by our health-fascist Minister.

And, make no mistake about this, this instance is just one of many such cancellations to come. I work in the hospitality industry and the level of European bookings is already down 30% due exclusively to the "ban". Unfortunately, the media seems to be (if not applauding) then, at the very least silently condoning this undemocratic and nanny-statist meddling with our civil rights.

RainyDay

The ban is a huge opportunity to market Ireland as a smoke-free environment, particularly to the US & Northern Europe. Any business that wants to accomodate the minority of smokers above the majority of non-smokers is destined for failure.

It's a pity the polluters prefer to whinge about the ban than do some pro-active marketing of this great opportunity.

flogen

pro_gnostic, the smoking debate is over.
Now as regards the media ignoring the loss of bookings, I'd be sceptical, I noticed a number of media outlets that seemed bias against the ban, and any journalist would love a scoop like what you claim.

Perhaps you should get in contact with a media outlet with your evidence and make it known, or even an opposition party, there are many people looking to dis-credit the government, especially at this pre-election time.

Flogen

uberwolf

Originally posted by pro_gnostic_8
marginalised

victimized

what do you call the 'victims' of passive smoking? specifically those who had to work in smoky environments? What of the one person weekly that dies in Britain because of working in a smoky environment? Victim = dead person OR victim = smoker inconvenienced?

draconian smoking health-fascist Minister.

Imagine a health minister who's priority is health, next thing you know everyone will be doing their job, even those who die to do so, unquestioning servants to your whim.

this instance is just one of many such cancellations to come.

If you had read the entire thread before releasing your misplaced vitriol you'd realise this was a spurious news item.

I work in the hospitality industry and the level of European bookings is already down 30% due exclusively to the "ban"

Provide a source

.undemocratic and nanny-statist meddling with our civil rights. [/B]

whose civil rights? the minority who smoke? Undemocratic? Legislation passed by the legally elected Oireachtas?


This may well be off topic and I am glad to read that BUPA infact had nothing to do with this story, but people (specifically this poster) need to be able to see beyond the cloud of smoke in front of their faces and see the bigger picture! He probably exhaled as he scrolled the latter half of the thread and missed the point. Evidently not for the first time.

flogen

uberwolf, while I agree totally with you, I'm going to have to ask you not to spark up (no pun intended) a debate on this.
As I said, its a dead issue now unless something solid comes out to challenge it, as I said to pro, he should go to a paper/channel/opposition party with his evidence and let the public know, but without proof his claims are nothing.

The actual original subject of the thread is pretty dead anyway, although there is a point to be made (for me as much as you) regarding not believing everything you see/hear in the media, and especially not on the internet

Flogen

seamus

Originally posted by flogen
The actual original subject of the thread is pretty dead anyway, although there is a point to be made (for me as much as you) regarding not believing everything you see/hear in the media, and especially not on the internet

Ah it's not really. I think the spirit of the article was Government bashing, "Look what your ban has done!". Someone jumped on the fact that "Not allowed smoke inside" was probably on a list of cons somewhere, along with a host of others, no doubt the expense put somewhere above it.

When I read a diferent article on it, I saw "The Burlington will lose out on €400,000" and I didn't even blink. The last thing I'm worried about is how much the mega-rich Burlington is losing. One less ivory backscratcher please.

vinnyfitz

The attributed reason of the smoking ban given by the agency organising the event was not the reason for BUPA's decision.

Name them I cry! Name them!
The real story here is why were these people so dumb or reckless as to brief press to that effect?

Anyone know who the event organisers were?