Smokers' tuneful response to ban

By Johnny Caldwell
BBC Northern Ireland

Niall Brown wants to see a bar opened specially for smokers

Northern Ireland rockers Snow Patrol's anthemic hit Run could be set to be used as a protest song for the country's ousted smokers.

The hit, which contains the very apt lines "light up, light up, as if you have a choice" may not have been written with this in mind.

However, this was the suggestion of one Belfast punter as bars across Northern Ireland got used to a smoking ban in public and enclosed spaces, introduced at 0600 BST on Monday.

Self-confessed nicotine addict, Niall Brown, 42, who was enjoying a pint in Kelly's Cellars, also wants to see a bar called the Smokers' Rest opened.

"I want to see somebody opening up a pub called this, employing only smokers, putting a notice up saying 'only smokers' and seeing how far the law could take that," he said.

Meanwhile, Mighty Quinn, 86, who has been smoking since he was 10, definitely does not plan to "call it a day just because of the smoking ban".

Mighty Quinn has been smoking since he was 10

He said: "There's millions of cars with exhausts why not ban them instead. I've been outside for a smoke and I don't like it.

"I never thought I would have this day in my lifetime and I'm very sad about it. It has definitely detracted from the atmosphere."

Ronan McDaniel, 18, who has recently gone off "the smokes", plans to use the banas an opportunity to stay off them permanently.

But he is more concerned about a less obvious aspect of the "new arrangement".

"I heard one person say one of the negative effects is you can smell everyone's armpits because there's no smoke. But thankfully I haven't experienced that just yet," he said.

While enjoying the sunshine outside Kelly's Cellars, Margaret Kearns, 53, does not think it will be that pleasant in more inclement conditions.

Margaret Kearns was able to smoke in the Royal Victoria Hospital

"When I gave birth to my children, I was allowed to smoke in the Royal Victoria Hospital," she said.

"I was allowed to smoke in the maternity ward, and I understand why you wouldn't be allowed to do that now.

"If somebody gave me a miracle cure I'd quit, but I'm addicted after 40 years of smoking and now have to go outside to do it, something I'm not in favour of."

The reaction to Northern Ireland's smoking bar in this particular ban has in the main been against what has been maligned as "yet more nanny state intervention".

Snow Patrol's response to their biggest hit being used as a smoking protest song will presumably be a little more mixed.