The Irish tobacco controllers have been achieving some spectacular results recently.
Smoking rate soars up to one third despite ban
A THIRD of the Irish population now smokes, a new survey reveals.
A survey of 4,082 people this summer revealed that 33pc of the Irish population had taken up or continued to smoke.
It is the highest smoking rate recorded here in the past 11 years, according to the EU's 'HELP -- For A Life Without Tobacco' campaign.
The survey, which was conducted between March and September, revealed the largest group of smokers -- 45pc -- is aged between 16 and 30.
Still, at least the anti-smoking loons' efforts have contributed to a massive reduction in other areas.
Property brokers now estimate prices for pubs have sunk as much as 40pc with Ireland suffering the worst collapse in its modern history.
In Ireland, sales are tumbling as unemployment edges beyond 12pc and taxes rise. That's amplifying a trend toward drinking at home, started by the 2004 ban on smoking in public places.
At least 4,800 pub jobs were cut in the past year, the Vintners Federation of Ireland said in an August report.
Sterling work, I think you'll agree.
