Business thrives in new pub which banned smoking

The owner of a newly opened Co Limerick pub has banned smoking - and reports that business is thriving.

The owner of a newly opened Co Limerick pub has banned smoking - and reports that business is thriving.

Ms Mary Hayes, of the Millers Inn, at Croom Mills, said her customers have been very positive about the rule.

She said only one person had lit a cigarette in the bar since it opened over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

"I think the time is right to bring it [the ban] in. From my experience over the last week, even smokers have a favourable attitude towards it.

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"Last year we opened a restaurant in the Mills and we decided to make it no-smoking as it is a 35-seater restaurant. We felt it was facilitating non-smokers."

She said she had since decided to make her day restaurant and the newly opened pub on the first floor cigarette-free zones.

She explained that the fine weather had facilitated smokers who wanted to light up. "We have a little seating area outside the restaurant and the pub. If people want to go out during the meal, then it's fine.

"We are situated on the river bank and we have decking all along the riverbank and it's a nice place for people to sit. We have a small lobby with a table and chairs where people can smoke. We are not anti-smoking."

She added: "We're doing pub grub in the bar and we thought it was time to extend the no-smoking into the bar. We felt it was easier to implement it from the start, rather than bringing it in in January."

She said many of her customers were thrilled with the rule. "There is a big number of people who don't smoke. An awful lot of people are delighted to come to a pub and go home without smoke all over their clothes.

"The staff are absolutely delighted, and our staff are one of our biggest assets."