2004, and people are smoking in my local ?

Originally posted by Exit
Getting slightly back on topic, I just saw a report about smoking in pubs being banned on Sky News. They mentioned that Ireland is planning on banning it, and what clip do they show in their report? Someone pouring a pint of Guinness with diddlyeye music in the background :rolleyes:

Originally posted by richindub2
Smokers shouldnt have civil rights. If theyre idiotic enough to smoke in the first place then they sure as hell arent going to be able to vote responsibly.

Originally posted by ixoy
Because they're weak willed idiots

Originally posted by sceptre
Oh you lie. Buy yourself one of these (I got it for Christmas - there's an entire chapter about when to use (and when not to use) a comma)

Smoking ban won't lead to 'nanny state' - Ahern
From:ireland.com
Sunday, 4th January, 2004

The fast-approaching smoking ban will not turn Ireland into a "nanny state", the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, insisted today.

He acknowledged that the workplace ban, which has been opposed by the hospitality sector, would be hard for smokers but urged them to adhere to the law.

"I just ask smokers in particular to understand that it is for the greater good," he said.

"I know that it's inconvenient and I know it's hard. I've never been a smoker so I don't understand totally the difficulty for them but it's an issue for the health of all the people."

He added: "I don't want this to turn into a nanny state where people send inspectors in to see if people drink or people smoke but I think people understand that there's a good reason for this law and I ask people to comply with it fully."

Mr Ahern confirmed that the ban would apply to every pub and restaurant in every area and will be enforced next month.

Grounds for banning smoking in stadiums
From:ireland.com
Saturday, 3rd January, 2004
BUSINESS OF SPORT/Daire Whelan:

While we wait (some with bated breath) for the introduction of the smoking ban, isn't it about time smoking was banned at sports grounds as well?

How many times have you sat/stood in Croke Park or Lansdowne Road and had the misfortune of someone's cigarette smoke blowing into your face? It may be outdoors but sports stadiums are still enclosed spaces for the fans and stewards. But, it seems many in Irish sports organisations feel that having a smoking ban in their grounds is a step too far. Likewise for the Department of Health, Fine Gael and Labour.

Only last October the Minister for Health, Michéal Martin, stated: "The primary purpose in introducing this important new health measure is to allow people to work and socialise in clean, healthy smoke-free environments. No one can be in any doubt that exposure to and inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke is a cause of cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease."

Stewards must work in stadiums and fans go to matches to socialise as well as support their team, so why do sports grounds not come under the proposed ban as well? As it stands "the regulations on smoke-free workplaces will include indoor workplaces only" and furthermore the Department of Health says "there are no plans to extend the smoke-free workplace initiative to outdoor workplaces".

But surely then, people smoking in sports grounds constitutes a health risk to those sitting near them and to those working near them? To which the Department of Health says: "Tobacco smoke is the most significant form of indoor air pollution. In an outdoor setting tobacco smoke may be quickly dispersed and does not pose the same levels of exposure and risk as an indoor location, although it can be annoying if sitting beside a smoker during a game."

Annoying. You can say that again. So you can either put up or shut up. But no, there's more, the Department also has the following advice: "Smoke-free locations are always a more pleasant environment. Most people attending sports events don't smoke and many smokers if requested by those sitting around them will not smoke."

So while the Department of Health has delusions about the behavioural habits of sports fans, the reality for the rest of us is very different. Have you ever asked a supporter smoking nearby to desist? Wouldn't you be more fearful of consequences suffered from your request? Don't hold your breath for any changes to be introduced in the near future either. Asked as to whether there are any plans from the Minister, or has it ever been suggested to the Minister, to introduce a smoking ban at sports grounds, this column was told: "Sports and sports grounds and venues are associated with physical exercise, a healthy lifestyle and high fitness levels. Some people would consider it preferable if smoking, which is the unhealthiest thing a human can do, should not be allowed in such venues."

Some people? In this case does "some people" not include the Government and the Minister for Health, who reminds us "exposure to and inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke is a cause of cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease?"

Maybe it's my old age, but is it just me or am I detecting the notion sports fans are getting the short end of the stick here?

Everyone else in sport, it seems, will only move when the Government does. An IRFU spokesman said there are no restrictions on smoking in the open-air areas of Lansdowne Road. However, it is banned in committee rooms and internal rooms around the stadium and has been in place for the last few years. The IRFU will be adhering to the Government recommendations when they are introduced and as for future developments they will be monitoring the evolution of and development of the smoking ban.

The eircom League has confirmed there are no regulations or guidelines in place for sports grounds regarding smoking. The ban will affect club bars while one option in the future could be the introduction of special family areas with no smoking sections.

The GAA and its county boards confirmed they too will be adhering to the Government recommendations. But, for Croke Park's hospitality boxes, there will be no smoking where drink is served. It is only the plebeians who must run the risk of cancer in the cheaper seats. However, there does still seem to be some confusion as to the application of the law when it comes into force, as the Dublin County Board told this column as Parnell Park is an enclosed space with kids and stewards present, non-smoking in the ground will be enforced.

So why such unwillingness from most quarters to ban smoking from sports stadiums across the country? Maybe, when you get past the language of "grey areas", "enforcement" and "rules and regulations" the primary reason could be a potential drop in attendances if any smoking ban were to be introduced? Is there a revenue factor that is being conveniently ignored? We may hide behind health reasons and open-air excuses but perhaps the battle with sporting organisations is one the Government is not ready for. After all, the publicans are proving to be stubborn enough as it is.

Next week, this column gets the views of opposition spokespersons on smoking at sports grounds, hears medical opinion on the dangers for fans, and examines why more and more Premiership clubs in England are banning smoking from their stadiums.