I strongly doubt the claimed popularity of the ban, with many smokers supposedly welcoming it (especially since Irish smoking rates have since increased). I will only be willing to accept this if the Irish government puts its confidence to the test. All it has to do is rescind the smoking ban and let the landlords and restaurateurs make their own decisions. If the ban really is popular, Irish people will not go back to any pub allowing smoking.
Brian Bond,
Sutton Coldfield