Beginning in 2004, a ban on smoking in pubs and hotels will come into effect in Ireland. It will also significantly restrict smoking in workplaces, cinemas, gaming halls, and restaurants. This measure is supported by numerous public organizations, as well as by representatives of non-smoking employees in the hotel industry, who have to tolerate the bad habits of their customers.
However, the Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance, which has about 3,500 members, says the ban will lead to the loss of about 65,000 jobs, roughly a third of all jobs in the hospitality industry. A similar ban already introduced in New York, where a huge number of Irish-Americans live, led to similar consequences. Alliance representatives say that in general they are opposed to smoking, but as representatives of their industry they cannot agree to the introduction of such a ban. "The government is trying to implement a sound idea, but a total smoking ban in Ireland could go too far," says alliance representative Finbarr Murphy.