A poll of pub-goers in Glasgow by The Scotsman indicates the majority are defiant about a proposed ban on smoking in public places.
"If they want to go ahead and ban smoking in pubs, they might as well shut them down," said Tam McGill. "I like to have a drink and the minute I have I drink, I want a cigarette."
Labor Member of Parliament Jack McConnell is sponsoring a measure to ban smoking in pubs and restaurants as Ireland did earlier this year.
The owner of The Ubiquitous Chip restaurant, Ronnie Clydesdale told the newspaper McConnell's measure would have no impact whatsoever on the smoking situation in Scotland.
"It is quite evident from the Irish experiment that it has driven people out of the pubs and into their homes to smoke," he said, claiming pub alcohol sales were down while retail liquor sales had risen.
"I would think a Labor minister should be worried about the unemployment aspect," he said, referring to bar staff affected by closures.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
