Madam, - Your correspondent, Brendan Hanrahan (March 31st), hopes that when he visits Ireland from the UK, "should I forget myself and light up in one of Ireland's lovely establishments I will be politely tolerated or, at worst, admonished."
Let me assure him that he will be politely tolerated about as much as an Irish visitor to the UK who decides to ignore the security arrangements against terrorist offences. Both the Irish and UK governments are in the business of saving lives: the notion that such measures should not apply to visitors is, frankly, hilarious.
By and large, the ban has been accepted, if stoically, by Irish smokers, and ecstatically by Irish non-smokers - and it is being applied politely but firmly by the nation's publicans - with the full backing of the public. So please leave the fags back in the hotel room, Mr Hanrahan, and do yourself and the rest of us a favour. - Yours, etc.,
TONY MULQUEEN, Aughrim, Co Wicklow.
Madam, - It's pretty obvious from his letter that Brendan Hanrahan hasn't been home for eight years, and most certainly hasn't kept up with the debate on this issue. The purpose of the ban is neither to infringe his rights nor protect his health; rather, it is to protect workers' rights and health. I do hope that the UK, as a "reasonably enlightened member of the EU", recognises the vision of the Irish Government and introduces such worker-friendly legislation.
I too am returning home to Ireland on Friday and am looking forward to a smoke-free environment. - Yours, etc.,
NATHY FEELY, Wokingham, Berks.
Madam, - The European Charter of Rights does indeed guarantee Mr Hanrahan privacy and freedom. In this case the freedom to smoke in private. The difference between the cocaine, crack and heroin addicts mentioned by Mr Hanrahan is that as they indulge in their drug of choice they do not force others to do so also.
The same can not be said about tobacco smoke. If one person in a room smokes, then everybody smokes. Mr Hanrahan is perfectly welcome to return, but I would ask him to please be tolerant of us and to respect our right to a healthy, smoke-free environment. - Yours, etc,
JOHN F. DOYLE, Mill Road, Midleton, Co Cork.
Madam, - I feel positively compelled to congratulate Micheal Martin on the implementation of the smoking ban. This praise does not come easy for me, as my family's politics have always been fundamentally opposed to the cronyism of Fianna Fáil.
However, having wrestled with my conscience for several weeks I have magnanimously decided that credit must be given where due.
The Minister and his Departmental officials have shown great courage and conviction in forcing through this wonderfully farsighted legislation. I am very excited about this initiative and look forward to smoke-free night-outs, and eating in a healthy atmosphere. Well done, Micheal. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL HYLAND, Brookfield Green, Kimmage, Dublin 12.
A chara, - May I make a point to Mr B. Hanrahan that the recent "fascist" smoking ban is not only to benefit the health of the smoker, but it is actually a ban on smoking in places of work. It is to ensure the staff working at the establishments he hopes his smoking may be "politely tolerated" in, do not have to breathe in his second-hand smoke.
Unless of course, his full insurance covers their subsequent health bills too? - Is mise le meas,
SIOBHÁIN NÍ CHEARLÁIN, Feallda, Dundalk, Co Louth.