Smoking bans effect on pubs in Ireland

[micko1962]

Does anyone know how many pubs have shut in Ireland as a direct result of the Smoking Ban ??

[Whickerman]

The representative body - the vintners federation - reckon quite a lot, however there is no other body that will back up their claims, and the fact is that no pub that has closed can lay any blame on the smoking ban. It can't be denied that there are pub closures though, but even the vintners have accepted that this is more to do with the recent introduction of random breath tests. (Rural pubs are being hit as the public won't take the chance anymore - very little public transport, esp at closing time). What they won't accept is that because of some of the highest prices in Europe (due in part to some of the highest taxes in Europe on alcohol) many people are choosing to drink at home - buying from off licences, whose sales have never been higher here. In addition, there is a limit on the number of licences available in this country, and to start a new business - including an off licence - you must purchase an existing licence. Pub owners are retiring and selling their licences for literally 100s of thousands of euro, and every second shop and restaurant is selling booze as a result. The link to the smoking ban just isn't there, it's simple economics that's closing any pub that shuts.

[Whickerman]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Preview/Qu estion200089.html

Micko - just realised it's a year since we last argued about this!

[mibn2cweus]

[heathfield]

Fair comment, Mibn!

On the one hand we're told pubs are failing. On the other hand we're told pub business is booming. So someone or other is simply telling porkies. Believe no-one who has a self-interest in the subject.

[Ollie_P]

Might it just be that the pubs that closed were rubbish - smoking or No smoking?

[Lonnie]

Just been talking to my brother, he lives in Donegal, I asked him about this, and he said that with pubs close to the border, non smokers went to Eire for a drink, and the reverse for smokers, and as far as he knows, itss business as usual.
Mind you, thats only one part.