Plans to ban outdoor smoking at pubs and clubs could be blocked

Government plans to ban smoking in some outdoor spaces, including pub gardens, outside restaurants, nightclubs, and open-air music venues, could be blocked by government officials at Downing Street.

News comes after hospitality industry bodies issued warnings that such a ban (initially proposed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in August) could cause job losses and venue closures across the country.

The policy would be an extension of the government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to reduce the 80,000 smoking-related deaths a year by progressively increasing the age at which people can buy tobacco.

Last week it was announced that disposable vapes will be banned in England next June, in a bid to crackdown on environmental damage from the single-use products and health issues, particularly related to their widespread use by children.

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But differences in opinions amongst government officials surrounding the extended ban has delayed the bill from coming into place.

According to The Guardian, UKHospitality told Number 10 that hospitality venues including nightclubs, hotels, cafes, restaurants and pubs would face “serious economic harm” as a result of Starmer’s proposed restrictions.

Meanwhile, The British Beer and Pub Association said that plans were “deeply concerning and difficult to understand” and “yet another blow to the viability of our nation’s vital community assets”.

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Amid this opposition, some government officials are reportedly “spooked”, calling the policy “unserious” and saying that there is not good enough evidence showing that outdoor smoking harms non-smokers.

The Guardian mentions Downing Street Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney and Leader of the House Lucy Powell as two of those opposed to the smoking ban.

Meanwhile, Starmer has insisted he is ready to face down criticism, and “take on the predictable cries of ‘nanny state’ in order to cut waiting lists, keep people healthy and in work, and secure the long-term future of the NHS.”

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The Prime Minister is backed by health experts such as the chief executive of Cancer Research UK Michelle Mitchell, who said: “The health risks of tobacco – which contains over 5,000 chemicals – are indisputable, and smoking outside is no exception.”

She is worried about the delays to the bill, pushing government officials to go ahead with the ban.

Concerns around the ban also draw attention to the already difficult circumstances for UK hospitality industry, with The British Beer and Pub Association claiming it “would have a devastating impact on pubs already struggling” with rising costs.

This comes just days after The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) issued a warning that, at the current rate of closing, all major UK nightclubs will be extinct by 31, December 2029 – making it the country’s “last night out”.

[Via: Guardian]

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram