Smoking Banned in Irish Pubs, Homicides Expected
DUBLIN, Republic of Ireland -- Ireland's controversial
new anti-smoking law has kicked in, delighting health campaigners while promising hefty fines to those who defy the ban.
Irish Health Minister Michael Martin marked the first day of the new law by tucking into a smoke free breakfast at a cafe in Dublin.
Martin said Ireland's high rate of high disease made the law a "no brainer".
"We have to do something extra, go the extra mile, to get that rate down," Martin said.
Martin, however, refuses to do anything about the ridiculous amounts of alcohol drank daily.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -