The Irish Cigarette Machine Operators Association (ICMOA) has decided to hold its AGM in Northern Ireland because hotels in the Republic have refused to accommodate members' smoking habits.
The group claims the decision will cost the State's economy at least €20,000. The conference is taking place on May 9th in Newry, Co Down, only weeks after the introduction of the workplace smoking ban on March 29th. The ban will be enforced in all workplaces, including pubs and hotels.
ICMOA spokesman Mr Gerry Lawlor said the organisation had approached four hotels in the Republic but these were unwilling to make provision for members who were smokers. Of the 200 or so people attending the meeting, about 45 per cent are smokers, Mr Lawlor said.
He said it was becoming "more and more blatantly obvious that this smoking ban will have a severe damaging effect on the Irish economy.
"Our AGM, held annually, means a direct loss in the Republic in the region of €20,000 for the conference itself. Plus the spin-offs, as most members shall stay two nights for the event itself and possibly a third night outside the Republic where they quite possibly will do some shopping."
Mr Lawlor said the European Tobacco Wholesalers Association has also decided to cancel its European conference due to be held in Dublin.
Meanwhile, the Irish Business Against Litter Group (IBAL) warned smokers to think before
they dump cigarette butts when the ban comes into force on March 29th. If they do not, pub owners and smokers alike will be liable for massive fines, warned IBAL chairman Mr Tom Cavanagh.
"There is currently a litter fine of 125 euro for throwing away a cigarette butt," he said.
