Smoking Ban (29th of March)

WezzyB · 18-02-2004 11:52AM #1

Just read on Unison that today the Minister for Health is going to be announcing the 29th of March as the date from which the Smoking ban is to come into effect from.

Irish Independent, 18th February 2004
Lights out for smokers by the end of March
THE ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants and the workplace will come into effect on Monday March 29, it will be officially announced today.

Minister Micheal Martin will declare the selected date at a press conference after the Cabinet approved the decision yesterday.

The choice of late March for the start of a nationwide stub-out is believed to have been influenced by an anxiety to avoid selecting April 1 - April Fool's Day. Nonetheless the decision allows less than six weeks for the introduction, which is bound to further enrage the hospitality industry.

However, this may be a deliberate strategy to minimise the window for a legal challenge to be mounted against the ban.

irishgeo · 18-02-2004 12:02PM

It should have been Ash wednesday. I mean its just the ideal for it. Offical Stop Smoking day and the start of Lent.

:dunno:

I be glad when it comes in.

Johnny Versace · 18-02-2004 12:10PM

In a few decades when smoking is banned, we'll be looking at how insane we were to allow smoking, and most of all, to allow smokers smoke beside non-smokers!

Nitrox · 18-02-2004 12:14PM

So close and yet so far, cant wait for the day when i can drink a pint without getting choked in other peoples bad habbits.
I actually think people will start to go out more now so whats the big problem.

flogen · 18-02-2004 12:14PM

heres hoping Jonny....heres hoping

Flogen

Lafortezza · 18-02-2004 12:17PM

It'll be interesting to see how pubs and especially clubs deal with the number of smokers who
1) "forget" about the ban and light up inside
2) congregate around doors to outside the premises knowing they'll be going for a smoke soon
3) bring drink outside (especially during the summer) and sit there chain smoking

dregin · 18-02-2004 12:22PM

/me can't wait for the ban.

Panda · 18-02-2004 12:31PM

Suddenly a strange feeling has come over me.....

I think its called scepticism.....
yeah, definatly scepticism.

will the deadline be pushed forwards again? probably.

alienhead · 18-02-2004 12:33PM

i'm not sure how they're supposed to police this, i've heard of confidential numbers......... is it up to the pub to enforce the law? will be interesting on a fri, sat night in a dublin club.

i take it they'll be removing cig machines.

bring it on.

Johnny Versace · 18-02-2004 12:43PM

People will just smoke in the toilets...

OT: When the world gets taken over by the Apes - Planet of the Apes style - do you think the apes will enjoy smoking? If so, what brand will they smoke?

I vote cigars (yes, I know this isn't a brand!)

ixoy · 18-02-2004 12:49PM

Great news about the ban! The selfish puffings shall end and I can enjoy clothes that do not stink after a night out. I hope they get the hotline number up and running, because - if it's not being properly enforced in clubs and pubs I frequent - then it's ringing time!

Dustaz · 18-02-2004 01:27PM

Suppose its another month of 'Wait and see' for the unrepentant smokers among us. Even with the current climate and supposed anger of non-smokers, the no smoking section in the Orchard in rathfarnham remains empty 6 nights out of 7.

Seraphina · 18-02-2004 01:34PM

well thats because people dont want to sit away from their friends, even if they're smoking.

personally i hate everyone smoking around me, i find it disgusting, and its so rude that smokers just dont care. i have two friends who are very nice about it, and will always ask before lighting up, especially in restaurants. but people who just light up and puff in your face because its their right to do what they want really piss me off sometimes.

suppafly · 18-02-2004 01:37PM

yup can't wait for it to come in!

Mercury_Tilt · 18-02-2004 01:37PM

This post has been deleted.

Mossy Monk · 18-02-2004 02:14PM

can't wait for the ban on cars when i'm walking the streets to come in. the fumes almost choke me

oh wait that's ok :mad:

ixoy · 18-02-2004 02:15PM

Originally posted by Dustaz
Suppose its another month of 'Wait and see' for the unrepentant smokers among us. Even with the current climate and supposed anger of non-smokers, the no smoking section in the Orchard in rathfarnham remains empty 6 nights out of 7.

Umm p'raps because all the smokers have dragged their non-smoking compadrés to the smoking section? It's completely daft to use this as a measure of the effect of the smoking ban. In one case they have an alternative, so it's not surprising they'll take their nicotine to the other area. When the ban is in place, they can't go elsewhere - which is no indicator to say they won't go at all.

ErinGoBrath · 18-02-2004 02:19PM

Originally posted by Dustaz
Suppose its another month of 'Wait and see' for the unrepentant smokers among us. Even with the current climate and supposed anger of non-smokers, the no smoking section in the Orchard in rathfarnham remains empty 6 nights out of 7.

But in fainess the non smoking section in the Orchard is secluded and badly laid out.

IgnatiusJRiley · 18-02-2004 02:25PM

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
can't wait for the ban on cars when i'm walking the streets to come in. the fumes almost choke me

oh wait that's ok :mad:

driving neccessary.
smoking not.
Having said that though, private cars probably should be banned from city centres... only a matter of time.

Saruman · 18-02-2004 02:34PM

Bring it on! I will be back from Hawaii by the time this kicks in so happy days... sorry to smokers but i cant stand going to pubs etc and not being able to breath.

lodgepole · 18-02-2004 02:43PM

Originally posted by ErinGoBrath
But in fainess the non smoking section in the Orchard is secluded and badly laid out.

And uncomfortable.

The Orchard does have a beer garden though, so at least in the summer you'll be able to smoke outside.

Ph3n0m · 18-02-2004 02:50PM

I am just curious on how it will be policed?

Johnny Versace · 18-02-2004 02:54PM

Originally posted by Ph3n0m
I am just curious on how it will be policed?

I used to be a barman. People (women in particular) regularily go psycho when drunk. There is no way I'd risk getting a broken nose/etc. by telling someone to put out their cigarette. Especially on a barmans wage.

ixoy · 18-02-2004 02:55PM

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
can't wait for the ban on cars when i'm walking the streets to come in. the fumes almost choke me

oh wait that's ok :mad:

What a daft comparison :rolleyes: Cars, and petroleum based transport, are a vital component of modern society. They allow us to transport goods and people across distances. They assist in your every day living. Admittedly, it'd be nice to have a cleaner fuel source but that's not viable currently. There is most certanly a massive silver lining on that cloud of smoke.

Smoking has no such advantageous side. It's a filthy habit. It's addictive. It's more directly harmful. It's completely unnecessary!

Mossy Monk · 18-02-2004 03:08PM

i was referring to city centres, should have pointed that out. please carry on

alienhead · 18-02-2004 03:19PM

i've heard this argument a few times. v stupid.

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
can't wait for the ban on cars when i'm walking the streets to come in. the fumes almost choke me

oh wait that's ok :mad:

aodh_rua · 18-02-2004 03:21PM

Just to follow up the Unison story in the first post - Michael Martin has had his press conference and confirmed March 29 as the start date.

Giblet · 18-02-2004 03:36PM

I can't wait. I do think that its wrong and facist though, but it's in my favor, so screw you!

Washout · 18-02-2004 03:52PM

Was in a bar in virginia US last week which didnt allow smoking...

anyone who wanted to smoke just went outside for a puff and it was extremly cold too and no1 was complaining it was an attidude of respecting the ppl around you... lets hope the same attidue gets instilled in the irish smoking public.

Villain · 18-02-2004 03:54PM

Originally posted by Washout
Was in a bar in virginia US last week which didnt allow smoking...

anyone who wanted to smoke just went outside for a puff and it was extremly cold too and no1 was complaining it was an attidude of respecting the ppl around you... lets hope the same attidue gets instilled in the irish smoking public.

In small rural locations I doubt that will happen and with the manner in which it is going to be policed I can see there being a lot of problems

BuffyBot · 18-02-2004 04:23PM

Ireland, it's become such a dull place to live.

Smoking Ban (29th of March)

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