FYI a timly post. Brian Bates, MacGrove
DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) _ Prime Minister Bertie Ahern on Thursday lauded Ireland's workplace smoking ban, a year-old in five days, as a world-leading measure that would benefit future generations.
Ireland on March 29, 2004, became the first country to ban smoking in all enclosed workplaces, including in the nation's 10,000-plus pubs.
The two major associations of pub owners warned that some members would face business ruin from lost trade, and many smokers defiantly vowed to flout the ban.
But the ban has proved extremely popular and widely observed in Ireland, where 70 percent of adults don't smoke. The government estimated 94 percent to 97 percent compliance _ a pattern backed by the threat of $3,900 maximum fines.
Some pubs have created heated outdoor terraces where drinkers can continue to puff away.
Ireland's move was modeled on similar measures already in place in New York City, California and scores of other U.S. states and cities. It was considered a particularly bold step in Europe, where smoking faces much more modest restrictions in most countries.
Ahern said he was pleased that the predictions of social conflict and business doom had failed to materialize.
"I'm only too aware that for a lot of people, it changed the way they did things for a long, long time. It was difficult for them, but they complied for the greater good," said Ahern.
So far, Norway is the only other European nation to impose a similarly restrictive ban. Italy in January launched severe restrictions on indoor smoking, but still permits smoking sections in restaurants and bars if they're fully enclosed and have modern ventilation.
___
-------------------------------------------------
JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY:
http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/
-------------------------------------------------
POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected]To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul
Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
