As "Novye Izvestia" reports, they are not as encouraging as predicted. The nation's health has become a little stronger. But the economy has suffered greatly.
The right to smoke in public places in Ireland was left only to patients of psychiatric clinics, prison inmates, and hotel guests. In all other places, violators of the ban are punished with a fine of three thousand euros.
The advantages of the campaign launched by the authorities are not yet as evident as the disadvantages. Over the past year, sales of tobacco products in the country have fallen almost 16-fold, which, according to doctors, will have a favorable effect on the nation's health in the long run. At the same time, the country's economy is already suffering. The law has been especially costly for local pubs, bars, and restaurants. The example of the capital is most telling.
Dublin is home to 1.3 million people. They account for over a thousand drinking establishments, whose regular customers are 48% of Irish men and 16% of Irish women. 98% of regulars are heavy smokers. With the ban taking effect, they are forced to smoke only in specially designated areas in front of pubs. Unsurprisingly, many prefer to stay at home, drinking and smoking while sitting on the couch, rather than running outside every time they think of a cigarette. Thus, local pubs, bars, and restaurants have already lost about 10% of their clientele. As a result, losses are being incurred. According to estimates by the London Center for Economic and Business Research, Irish drinking establishments have already lost 117 million euros. This forces their owners to cut staff, and thousands of Irish people are left unemployed.
Such disappointing results of the reform make one think about the advisability of the adopted law. Maybe it is too strict? Perhaps it would have been better to follow the path of other countries that combat smoking not so zealously but just as effectively? For example, Italy and India have banned advertising of tobacco products. Since the beginning of this year, a similar ban has been in effect in Montenegro. In Germany, a law was recently adopted that prohibits smoking in public places, but no fine is imposed for it. In Australia, smoking is prohibited in airports, in buildings occupied by government organizations, hospitals, and on most beaches. In Iran, in addition to this, smoking is prohibited in religious buildings, cinemas, and sports centers. In the Netherlands, the list of places forbidden for smokers also includes toilets, trains, and railway stations. Bhutan has introduced a total ban on the sale of tobacco products.
And, say, in America, despite the fact that the American anti-tobacco legislation is recognized as the strictest in the world (in some states, smoking is not allowed even in one’s own home, since smoke may disturb neighbors), there are simultaneously laws aimed at protecting the rights of smokers themselves.
By the way, smoking restrictions have also affected Japan. From April 1, 2008, it will be possible to buy cigarettes in tobacco vending machines only with a personalized plastic card with a photo and microchip. Tobacco cards will be issued to smokers free of charge at special centers, where one will need to provide a photo and a copy of any identification document indicating date of birth. The decision to introduce such a system was made by the association of tobacco companies as part of tightening smoking rules and in order to keep minors from accessing cigarettes.