Irish smoking ban ‘a success’

The smoking ban introduced in the Republic of Ireland last week is likely to be judged an overwhelming success, according to reports. The Independent newspaper reports that there was almost “complete compliance” by publicans and customers at the ban, which outlaws smoking in all workplaces. The newspaper states that the first weekend after the rules changed passed “without major incident”, attributing the success to the fact that pubs will be fined large amounts of money if they break the new regulations. It cites one example of a bar using its imagination to provide facilities for customers who wish to continue smoking; the establishment, in Carrigart, Co Donegal, has built a lean-to shelter for those who need to go outside to partake in nicotine. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad