Bingo Blitzed by Smoking
April 24 1996
A CHECK HAS been called on profits in bingo halls throughout the country. THE numbers attending the various venues in the county are down.
IT'S all because of a smoking ban brought into force at the beginning of the year.The embargo prevents players lighting up during the course of games. Breaches of the ban could result in a £200 fine for offenders.
So annoyed are some players by the regulations that they are refusing to attend future sessions. Regular smoking breaks have been introduced in a number of halls to cater for those with a craving for nicotine. Special 'smoke rooms' have also been provided.
Although it is accepted that profits will be down in the short term, the general consensus is that the bingo halls will ride out the smokeless storm.
Tom Tarmey, main organiser of the bingo promotion in the Castlebar, and a regular attender at other sessions throughout the county, confirmed that the smoking embargo was in place in 99.9 per cent of halls in Mayo.
"The law is being respected by players, but I am not aware of any case where a person was fined for a breach of the regulation.
"There was a rumour that a checker refused to pay out to a winning player because he was smoking, but I don't know if the story is true.
"My view is that if it is the law, it should be implemented. It is hard on smokers. I did not see anything wrong with the old system whereby non-smoking areas were provided.
"It is odd to think that players attending bingo cannot smoke. But people
attending a function in the same venue an hour or so afterwards can light up
a cigarette if they wish."
Connaught Telegraph - News - April 1996
