Forest Eireann slams New York smoking ban
Friday, February 4, 2011 at 12:04PM The smokers’ group Forest Eireann has criticised a decision by New York city council to ban smoking in the city’s parks, beaches and public squares.
Supporters of the new measures said it would help improve the health of New Yorkers and prevent non-smokers from having to breathe other people's tobacco smoke.
John Mallon, spokesman for Forest Eireann, said: “It’s nonsense to suggest that non-smokers are at risk from people smoking in the open air.
“Banning smoking in parks and squares has nothing to do with the health of non-smokers. It’s designed to force people to quit smoking whatever the consequences for civil liberties.”
Mallon added that Forest Eireann would fight the imposition of similar regulations in Dublin and other Irish cities.
“It is completely unreasonable to ban smoking in all public places, indoors and out.
“Tobacco is a legal product and a huge proportion of what people spend on tobacco goes to the Exchequer. If the government wants our money we have to be allowed to smoke somewhere, and not just at home.
“We encourage people to smoke responsibly, but fining people if they light up outside is a step too far.
“Unfortunately anti-smoking zealots won’t be happy until smoking is outlawed completely. If that happens people will still smoke but in an uncontrolled environment and the main beneficiaries will be criminal gangs and the manufacturers of illicit cigarettes.”
Further comment
John Mallon (Forest Eireann) 085 219 3245