BY COLM BRADLEY

The i's have been dotted and the T's have been crossed, for, as of 30th April 2007 next, Northern Ireland new smoke free legislation will come into place.

Speaking to representatives of three licensed premises in Enniskillen, there seems to be conflicting opinions on the forthcoming legislation.

The bar manager in Blake's of the Hollow, Mark Edwards, declared that he was in favour of the ban.

"I'm all for it. From a management point of view, it is better for the staff. There is no question; it makes for a better working environment."

"There will obviously be a transition period at the start, with people getting used to the new laws but I think that it will not have as big an affect as people think," Mr Edwards continued.

Michael Reid, the proprietor of Willie Ramblers is not so keen on the ban however.

"I was against it from the start but, of course I will work with it. I think that you will see a downturn in trade. Whatever people say about the south of Ireland, pubs have closed there since the ban has come in. People may just get a carry out and go home and smoke, but the way things are going they might not be able to do that either," he quipped.

Mr Reid who was originally concerned with the fine points of the legislation now is happy that he knows what will designate a smoking area and what will not;

"It was important that we knew what would be classed as 'inside' and what would be classed as 'outside'. We have had that explained to us now so we can work towards providing a facility for our smoking customers."

Ruairi Sweeny, of Francos Restaurant, is pleased that a smoking ban is coming into affect in Northern Ireland,

"In the restaurant we do not encourage smoking. There are no ashtrays on the tables and while you can request an ashtray and smoke if you want to we really do not encourage it."

Continuing he explained that a lot of restaurants in Belfast and London are already smoke free and that if anything he believes that the smoking ban would create an upsurge in the restaurant business although he admitted it was difficult to predict exactly what would happen at this point in time. He did however think that regardless of the effect it would have on business that it was a positive step;

"We are very family orientated and with children in the premises it really is not appropriate that people be smoking in their vicinity."

Mr Edwards, of Blake's of the Hollow, thinks that, overall the ban will have a positive effect, especially for visitors.

"People said it would never work in Ireland or Scotland, but it did. I think it will have a positive impact on visitors who come here as well.

"Having said all that, we are taking into account the smokers as well, as they must be catered for and, thankfully we are able to offer them a decked area out the back of the pub where they can smoke."

Michael Reid however, is of the opinion that the ban will cause people to lose their jobs and he points to the downturn in business in the south of Ireland and the number of pubs which are closing in that are as evidence for his assertion.