Planned ban on smoking in pub gardens ‘set to be ditched by No 10’

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Sir Keir Starmer is ready to drop a proposed ban on smoking in pub and restaurant gardens, it’s been reported.

Smokers will nonetheless be barred from lighting up outdoors hospitals and colleges, underneath plans first outlined in the summer season.

But the federal government will axe the thought of together with pubs and racecourses in the outside smoking ban, in accordance to The Sun.

It’s thought ministers reconsidered their plans in the sunshine of shock from pub landlords and hospitality chiefs, who warned prospects would be deterred and their futures threatened.

In late August, when the thought first emerged, the prime minister mentioned motion was wanted to scale back the burden of smoking-related illness on the NHS and the taxpayer.

“My starting point on this is to remind everybody that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking,” Sir Keir mentioned.

And final month, well being secretary Wes Streeting referred to as for a “national debate” concerning the concept of banning smoking outdoors pubs.

“We have got to do two things – reform the health service, but also reform public health, because we might be living longer, but we’re becoming sicker sooner and there is a heavy price being paid for that in our economy, our public finances and in our own health.”

Sir Keir Starmer said action was needed to reduce the burden on the NHS
Sir Keir Starmer mentioned motion was wanted to scale back the burden on the NHS (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Chief medical officer Chris Whitty had advocated a wide-ranging out of doors smoking ban.

Areas outdoors hospitals, nightclubs and sports activities venues, and small parks would nonetheless be coated by the proposal.

It is believed {that a} ban would apply solely to England, though devolved governments might select to implement comparable guidelines.

Opponents of the ban highlighted how pubs are already closing. Figures present that 509 closed final 12 months, with the lack of 6,000 jobs – a better quantity than in 2021 and 2022.

Kate Nicholls, chief government of UKHospitality, mentioned on the time: “A ban on smoking in outdoor spaces comes with the prospect of serious economic harm to hospitality venues. You only have to look back to the significant pub closures we saw after the indoor smoking ban to see the potential impact it could have.

“This ban would not only affect pubs and nightclubs, but hotels, cafes and restaurants that have all invested significantly in good faith in outdoor spaces, and continue to face financial challenges.”

But Deborah Arnott, chief government of charity Action on Smoking and Health, mentioned the federal government was catching up with what the general public anticipated – “not to have to breathe in tobacco smoke in places like children’s play areas and seating areas outside pubs, restaurants and cafes”.

The Independent has requested the Department for Health and Social Care to remark.

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