Getty ImagesHealth experts have welcomed proposals to tighten regulations on outdoor smoking, but leading figures in the hospitality industry are concerned the restrictions could hinder the growth of some businesses, particularly pubs.
On Thursday, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government Consider stricter outdoor smoking regulations Help reduce the number of preventable deaths related to smoking and the burden on the NHS.
The exact details are unclear but if implemented, smoking could be banned in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants and outside hospitals and sports grounds.
The plans have also been criticised by hotel industry leaders and opposition politicians, who say the proposals are overly regulatory.
Any new ban would apply only to England. It is not yet clear whether it would apply to the rest of the UK, although local authorities could choose to introduce similar rules.
Dr Laila Mackay of the NHS Confederation, speaking on behalf of the NHS, said it would reduce the “huge problems” that smoking causes to individuals and society.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that smoking was the leading cause of preventable disease in the UK.
Dr Mackay added: “We are pleased to see the progress we are making.”
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, said the public wanted to be “not breathing tobacco smoke in places such as children’s play areas and seating areas outside pubs, restaurants and cafes”.
However, Ms Arnott said it was important that smokers still had access to some outdoor areas “to smoke outside rather than inside their homes”.
Those in the hotel industry worry the ban will further hurt business.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), which represents 20,000 pubs in the UK, said the number of pubs had fallen significantly due to factors including the coronavirus pandemic and the energy crisis.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the UK Hospitality trade group, told the Today programme: “We have to think very carefully about this so we don’t damage businesses, economic growth and jobs.”
Rob Pitchers, chief executive of Revolution Bars, said he did not think smoking in beer gardens was “so widespread that it would put any pressure on the NHS”.
But JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin said: “I don’t think it will have a material impact on our business in any way.”
Tavern owners, however, have a different story.
Lisa Burrage, 55, a pub owner in Newlands, Gloucestershire, said pubs should have the choice whether to ban smoking and “it’s not a decision the government can make”.
Ms Burrage told the BBC: “This is just another hurdle we face in the hospitality industry and one that we can avoid.”
Tony Harding, 57, a pub owner in Salisbury, said if customers started smoking and “blocked the street, instead of [using] My beautiful and cozy garden”.
Opposition politicians have expressed similar concerns.
Priti Patel, the Conservative leadership candidate, said the proposals amounted to “nanny state regulation” and would be “damaging to the economy”.
Robert Jenrick, another Conservative leadership candidate, said: “The last thing this country needs is thousands more pubs closing.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the proposals as “a ridiculous level of government overreach”.
“Frankly, it would be the death knell for the pub if they did that,” Mr Farage added.
But the prime minister stressed the health impact while speaking to reporters on Thursday.
Asked about the proposal, Sir Keir said the Government “will make decisions in this area” and would reveal more details.
Richard Lawrence, 31, supports the plan and doesn’t understand why it is seen as a negative.
Mr Lawrence said: “I would be more willing to go to the pub if there was a ban and I would certainly enjoy the experience of a lovely beer garden and enjoy my food and drink without having to worry about smokers having disgusting odours and blowing smoke at me.”
Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of death in the UK, killing two thirds of long-term smokers and causing 80,000 deaths every year.
According to the latest data from the UK Office for National Statistics, in 2022, approximately 12.9% of people aged 18 and over in the UK (approximately 6.4 million people) smoked.
This is the lowest rate of current smokers since records began in 2011.
Selva Venugopalan, 45, has a three-and-a-half-year-old son and his wife Geraldine is pregnant with their second child.
He told the BBC the proposals were a “no-brainer”.
“I don’t want to be exposed to secondhand smoke. I definitely don’t want my children to be exposed to secondhand smoke at a young age.”
Cancer Research UK says in its guidance on passive smoking, or second-hand smoke, that all forms of smoking are “unsafe”, while the National Health Service says second-hand smoke is a “lethal cocktail of more than 4,000 irritants, toxins and carcinogens”.