UK government considering ban on smoking in pub gardens and outdoor music venues

The UK government may implement a smoking ban in some outdoor spaces, including pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and open-air music venues and nightclubs.

The news has emerged from leaked Whitehall documents, reported by The Sun, which revealed the government is in favour of such plans, which would also extend to the pavements next to pubs, club and restaurants, as well as outside universities and hospitals, children’s play areas, small parks, and sports grounds.

When asked about the leaked documents by the BBC, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not rule out the move, sayinf that the government was "going to take decisions in this space", with more details to be revealed.

The proposed measures would follow the introduction of a bill in parliament earlier this year prohibiting the sale of tobacco and vapes to anyone born on or after January 2009.

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The tobacco and vapes bill was dropped when the general election was called, however, the King’s Speech last month promised to pick it up again, and the comments made by Starmer this morning (August 29) further suggest a government effort to crack down on smoking and vaping. Although this is the first time an outdoor smoking ban has been mentioned.

According to The Sun, the restrictions could also target shisha bars, while private homes and large open spaces, such as parks or streets, will be safe.

While not explicitly confirming the ban, Starmer said that more needs to be done to reduce the number of preventable, tobacco-related deaths a year, putting that number at 80,000. He said that the NHS is “on its knees” and "we have got to take action" to reduce the burden on it.

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The news has been met by mixed reviews with health experts praising the government for making movements “to help abolish smoking”.

““It is absolutely the health challenge of our time. It’s the leading cause of preventable illness in the UK, so we are heartened to see that progress is being made and that the intention is moving forward to really address one of Britain’s main drivers of health inequalities.” said Dr Layla McCay, the director of policy at the NHS Confederation, on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Conversely, critics have said that the ban would harm the hospitality industry. “This needs to be thought through very carefully before we damage businesses and economic growth and jobs.” stated Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of the trade group UKHospitality, on the same programme.

Michael Kill from the Night Time Industries Association, said a ban would risk "imposing yet another regulatory burden on businesses already facing considerable challenges".

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