THERE is no doubt about it, shoppers want the Market Place Shopping Centre to be a smoke-free zone.

Well done the Centre management team for heeding the public's wishes. From June 1, a no-smoking policy will be introduced.

The BEN is delighted to have played an integral part in helping this issue to be resolved. After publicity in this newspaper, letters overwhelmingly in favour of a total smoking ban were received at the Market Place.

But what is going to happen in the Market Hall where there are food stalls? Smoking is still allowed there.

Cllr Mike Kilcoyne, chairman of the council's contracts services, says the door is open to have discussions about the smoking policy in the Market Hall. But he questions whether banning smoking altogether is a good thing.

While we agree with him that it is important not to turn smokers into social lepers, we think smoking around foodstuffs is wholly inappropriate and should be stopped. And we believe public opinion will be behind us.

The council should grasp the nettle on this one and follow the Market Place's lead.

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