Publicans' group refuses to support smoking pub
A group representing publicans refused today to back a landlord’s decision to openly flout the smoking ban.
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland said they could understand the frustrations linked to loss of business, but they could not condone anyone breaking the law.
Galway publican Ciarán Levanzin is facing severe penalties after declaring he would openly defy the workplace ban.
He decided to breach the new law after a disastrous loss of business at Fibber Magee’s in the city centre’s Eyre Square.
He said the Government would not compromise the rules, so he had been forced to do so himself.
Health officials are expected to visit the pub today. If caught breaking the controversial law, the landlord faces a €3,000 fine and losing his licence.
Mr Levanzin said he was applauded as he put ashtrays back out on the tables and told customers they were free to light up.
Word quickly spread and the pub was overflowing by closing time that night.
It is feared the blatant flouting of the law could spark widespread defiance throughout the country, but Ronan Lawless, co-owner of the pub, said he felt they had no other option.
“Our backs were against the wall. We were going to be out of business within months,” he said.
“You are damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”
He stressed the move was not a publicity stunt and vowed to fight the ban to the end.
“Obviously I am concerned that we could lose our licence but I am hoping other publicans and customers will come out and back me,” he told RTÉ radio.
Fibber Magee’s has been forced to cut staff since the smoking ban was introduced over three months ago and the landlords claimed they would be out of business by September unless they took drastic action.
Smokers travelled from as far away as Cork to enjoy a cigarette with their pints. One said smoking was part and parcel of Irish tradition and he was delighted that the pub had decided to take a stand against the Government.
The decision was met with frustration by some groups. Professor Luke Clancey, chairman of anti-smoking group ASH Ireland, said the law protected people against harmful smoke.
“The eyes of the world are on Ireland and this is a hugely important initiative,” he said.
“To think it could be jeopardised because somebody believes this is why his profits are down is disappointing.”
Galway publicans are expected to meet next Tuesday to review the situation.
