- 58% of British adults back the idea of banning smoking in pub gardens and outside restaurants
- The indoor smoking ban south of the border could be extended to cover beer gardens or outside football stadiums, according to leaked plans
LONDON. August 30 –The UK government is reportedly considering a ban on smoking in outdoor public spaces, including pub gardens and restaurant exteriors, as part of a broader initiative to curb smoking rates. Leaked documents, disclosed by The Sun, indicate plans to extend current indoor smoking restrictions to many outdoor areas. This move is part of a wider strategy, championed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to implement tougher laws on smoking and vaping.
On Thursday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer expressed his commitment to addressing the issue, noting that smoking is responsible for 80,000 deaths annually in the UK. He indicated that further details on the government’s plans would be announced soon.
Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith elaborated on the government’s approach in an interview with Sky News, stating, “We aim to make it more likely that smokers will want to quit by raising the legal smoking age, providing cessation support, and reducing the number of places where smoking is permitted. This will help protect individual health and alleviate pressure on the NHS.”
The King’s Speech in July confirmed that the government plans to revive a proposal from Prime Minister Sunak to ban smoking for individuals born after 2009, effectively creating a “smoke-free generation.”
While some critics argue that a ban on outdoor smoking could harm businesses and economic growth, supporters see it as a positive step towards reducing one of the leading causes of preventable disease in the UK. A YouGov poll released on Thursday showed that 58% of British adults back the idea of banning smoking in pub gardens and outside restaurants.
