A non-smoking Ireland… It’s a good ting.(sic)
The Irish Republic took the brave decision by leading the world in imposing a ban on smoking in pubs and licensed premises three years ago and as a result, the smoking population addicted to the demon weed, has been forced outdoors – rain, hail or shine [pictured right].
The last time I was in Dublin my entire trip was in a “purple haze”, caused by too much Guinness and frequenting too many smoke filled bars……regrettably I was also a contributor to the haze then.
As the Irish love to smoke as much as they love to drink, every pub in Dublin reeked of acrid cigarette smoke, and by the end of the night so did every drinker, smoker or not.
The air inside was thick with a fog similar to the hue of the Blue Mountains, only not quite as sweet smelling and the non smokers might as well have taken up the habit as they consumed nearly just as much smoke as the offenders.
Everyone would wake up the next morning smelling like an incinerator and coughing and spluttering like a ’64 Volkswagen.
Three years since the ban and Dubliners have adjusted. They still smoke but just not inside and every bar and pub now boasts tables and chairs and stanchions corralling smokers on the streets.
Precious rooftops have also been adapted to become smoking areas as have balconies and even flower boxes with smoking drinkers spilling out of the pubs everywhere.
Pubs are now different, they’ve lost some of their character, they no longer reek. According to most though, it’s a good thing (or ting).
Eithne O’Loughlin stands at the bar with a pint of Guinness in her hand at O’Neil’s Pub in the heart of Dublin and in her beautiful Irish brogue she tells me:
“Gard ormoighty, can’t yer tell da difference here?”
“We can all breed (breathe) now.”
“It’s a good ting, dis smokin’ ban.”
I responded, “Ah, a good ting it is too”. “To be sure”!
A Report by Kevin Moloney, international travel writer and Travel Mole correspondent – on location in Ireland – brought to you by Emirates, Aer Lingus, Driveaway Holidays and Tourism Ireland.
John Alwyn-Jones
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