The committee’s strategy, would, if adopted, lead only to a ban on smoking in public eating places – a situation which Senator Vibert has described as absurd.He has lodged amendments seeking a smoking ban in all licensed premises where alcohol is sold and consumed.’My amendment would cover all discos and nightclubs frequented mainly by young people – a large target area for the proposed legislation,’ he said.Fully expecting a backlash to his proposals from the hotel industry, Senator Vibert said that in countries where smoking in restaurants and pubs had been banned the industry had fought a long and bitter battle against such a move claiming their businesses would be ruined.
‘Publicans always forget that many non-smokers just won’t go into their premises because of the foulness of the air and stench of stale nicotine.
Those people will come back and smokers will learn to change their smoking habits,’ he said.
