Forest Eireann fights back
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 10:21
Simon Clark

My arrival in Ireland yesterday coincided with the news that Minister for Heath and Children Dr James Reilly wants to ban smoking in cars with children.

"I don't think anyone in their right mind could agree that smoking in a car with a child is a sensible, wise, moral or ethical thing to do," he said.

The good news is that in contrast to the introduction of the smoking ban in Ireland, when there was no organised opposition, our decision to launch Forest Eireann last year is at last being vindicated.

I've lost count of the number of interviews FE spokesman John Mallon did yesterday. He was even quoted by RTE, an important breakthrough.

This morning John is also quoted in the two quality dailies, the Irish Times and the Irish Examiner. The former, in particular, sets the news agenda in Ireland and is read by most politicians.

I still kick myself that Forest didn't establish a group in Ireland long before the smoking ban was enforced in 2004. I'm not saying we would have stopped it, but at least there would have been a debate.

The purpose of Forest Eireann is to make sure that no more tobacco control regulations are introduced in Ireland - with the potential knock-on effect in Britain - without a fight.

PS. I'm seeing John Mallon later today. I imagine we may have a drink or three to mark the occasion.

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