ASH hits back at UK report
Irish pubs are losing customers due to the cost of drinks and not as a result of the country’s smoking ban, it was claimed tonight.
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Ireland insisted a UK report alleging the workplace smoking ban had cost the country’s pubowners €117m was grossly misleading and inaccurate.
“Well-established research carried out both before and after the Irish ban shows a drop in alcohol sales in Ireland can be attributed to many factors, primarily the cost of alcohol products,” a spokesman said.
“The trend of a reduction in alcohol sales in Ireland, which in itself must be welcomed, was well established prior to the workplace smoking ban legislation.”
A study by Britain's Centre for Economics and Business Research, commissioned by campaigners against plans for a ban in Scotland, found the workplace smoking ban had hit income and job levels in the Irish hospitality industry
But the ASH spokesman claimed the smoking legislation had been an unprecedented success since its introduction almost a year ago with 97% compliance in pubs and massive public support.
“Since the ban Dublin pubs have, for example used the "clean air" message as part of a marketing campaign,” he said.
“Asthmatics and others seriously affected by passive smoke can now use Irish pubs and enjoy them for the first time.
“During the lead-in to the introduction of the Irish legislation, seriously misleading figures and scare mongering were used by large commercial vested interests.
“Thousands of job losses and pub closures – that were predicted – have not happened,” he added.
