A near complete ban on smoking in pubs and in all workplaces is about to go into effect in Ireland. Let me say for the record that I don't smoke (except for an occasional cigar) and also let me say for the record that this is a huge mistake.
Pub owners will see a decrease in business and instead of having a bartender and a waitress - maybe they just go with a bartender (sorry Sheila - we need to lay you off). The smoking ban won't promote any new tourism from the US (if someone wants to go to Ireland it won't be because Ireland is smoke free and Hawaii isn't) but it will cut down on tourism from other European countries (where smoking is a God given right).
If smoke free pubs were in demand - don't you think someone would have opened one? Instead the Irish will have the government telling folks what is good for them and what they can and cannot do. That is a mistake.
But Chris - what about the second hand smoke? Tell that to Sheila who just lost her job at the pub - I'm sure it will be a consolation to her. And let me get this straight - it is the second hand smoke and not the pints that are the real health hazard? Oh - yeah that's right - the pints are next on the list.
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