Effects of the smoking ban

Madam, - Recently I found myself standing outside a rural bar in the west of Ireland. It was early in the morning, about half-past one, but a small crowd of people was still inside the bar. One hesitates to cast the first stone, but I suspect everyone inside was breaking the law by drinking there.

Then I saw something which intrigued me. At regular intervals, drinkers left their illegal pints inside, and came out into the darkness to smoke their cigarettes. Although they were happily breaking the law on drinking, they were complying to the letter with the smoking law.

We seem to have created a new cultural phenomenon - the law-abiding illegal drinker. - Yours, etc.,

MICHAEL O'MALLEY,

Hillcrest Lawns,

Lucan,

Co Dublin.