‘Veel schade Ierse rookverbod’
Na een jaar heeft de Ierse horeca-organisatie VFI de balans opgemaakt van de gevolgen van het strenge Ierse rookverbod. Die schade is erg groot zegt de organisatie, met name op het platteland.
Alleen al in Cork City en County moesten 170 horecagelegenheden de deuren sluiten. 7600 banen gingen in 2004 in die sector verloren, heel anders dan in andere sectoren waar het aantal banen juist toenam.
The VFI, which represents more than 6,000 rural licensees, has dismissed media claims that the ban has been a success, instead pointing to the devastating effect it has had on the country’s licensed trade.
Seamus O’Donoghue, president of the VFI, pointed to nationwide figures showing average turnover in pubs is down by 20 to 30 per cent.
In County Clare 26 pubs have closed in the last 12 months and an estimated 170 licences have been lost in Cork City and County, according to the federation.
The VFI also pointed to government figures showing 7,600 jobs had been lost in the hospitality sector in 2004 – while increases were experienced in every other sector.
Mr O’Donoghue said: “We believe there is room for compromise. Although this ban isn’t just about pubs, it is rural pubs that have been worst affected.
Rural pubs hit hard by smoke ban, says VFI
…en het aantal zieken is niet minder geworden.. Erger nog, rokers krijgen nu buiten heel wat meer te verduren dan binnen.
“While CO levels have fallen in some pubs, levels are rising in the streets outside due to increased exhaust fumes from more cars on the road. In this context, forcing smokers out could actually be quite dangerous”
