With regard to the GRTU’s comment that Malta is the only country to have “imposed such an exaggerated (smoking) ban”, I believe that it is failing to take into account the actions of the Irish government, which recently imposed such a ban on public

outlets. The response in Ireland has been

on the whole positive. A recent BBC

report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4393547.stm) noted the comments of some smokers who were regulars at a bar in Ireland:

“ ‘The air used to be thick with smoke, so the regulars told me – some with wistful affection – and they had mixed views on whether the ban was a good idea.’

‘I miss being able to smoke in a pub,’ said one. ‘The Guinness tastes different without having a cigarette to go with it.’

But his friend piped up: ‘It’s actually a good way to meet people. I chatted up my current girlfriend while we were both standing outside a pub having a cigarette.’ ”

I believe that this and other anecdotal evidence, such as the reporters own personal notes:

“ It wasn’t until the dreaded morning after that I noticed the biggest difference.

My clothes from the night before didn’t stink of stale tobacco and my hair was surprisingly smoke-free.

My throat certainly didn’t feel as scratchy as it has done after a night out in Glasgow and I swear my head wasn’t as ‘fuzzy’ either.”

The anti-smoking ban will reap its benefits.

After all, it was not so long ago that people in many parts of the world thought that seat belts were too much of an inconvenience, and uncomfortable. Indeed some even went as far as to say ‘more dangerous’, when the reality is that they have saved lives, improved survival rates from serious road traffic accidents and relieved some of the stress on hospitals and potentially grieving family members and friends. A small inconvenience is a small price to pay – eh!?

Joseph F. Portelli

By Email