In a statement issued yesterday, the GRTU claimed that according to the legal advice it had been given, the recently introduced smoking ban makes no distinction between small or larger establishments.

The authorities responsible for enforcing the ban will be torn between loyalties towards small or larger places of entertainment, claimed the GRTU. This is because, allowing smoking in small places will lead to the larger establishments losing business. On the other hand, if the smaller places have the right to let people smoke, they cannot be denied it.

Due to this misunderstanding, Dr Andrew Borg Cardona, on behalf of the GRTU, has requested the Attorney General to intervene and determine the correct interpretation of the law.

The GRTU is asking for the Attorney General to confirm whether all establishments, including small ones, must close off a room for smokers under the law which came into effect on 5 October. They said that the only exception was made for a postponement until 5 April 2005 when equipment needed to filter the air in the smoking area, according to the stipulated standards, will be available.