Government considers pub garden smoking ban

A government leak has revealed plans to extend the smoking ban to outdoor areas, including pub gardens, outside nightclubs and on restaurant terraces.

While details of the plans are still unknown, the leak forms part of the government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill. It is also unclear whether the outdoor smoking ban would apply to the whole of the UK or England only.

Immediate reaction from the pub and bar industry has been consistently negative, with trade bodies releasing statements outlining the damaging affect such an initiative would have on on-trade businesses. 

"A ban on smoking in outdoor spaces comes with the prospect of serious economic harm to hospitality venues," says Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality. "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. The government must embark on a full and detailed conversation with affected parties on the impact of such a ban before any legislation is laid. It must also assess whether such a ban would achieve its aims of meaningfully reducing smoking or simply relocate smoking elsewhere, such as in the home."

"It's important to recognise that 6.4m people in the UK still smoke, many of whom enjoy doing so in social settings like beer gardens," adds Michael Kill, CEO of NTIA. "These leaked regulations could significantly impact their lifestyle choices and the businesses that serve them."

Incredibly damaging

The BII says that since the smoking ban in 2007 its members have made significant adaptations to their venues to accommodate all of their customers. These changes included huge investments in outdoor spaces and diversifying their offer to be able to welcome everyone to their pubs.

"The significant effects from the pandemic in 2020 are still being seen today," says Steve Alton, CEO of the BII. "Including heavy increases in food, drink, labour and energy, but pubs have time and time again adapted in order to thrive.

"Any further disruption to their businesses would be incredibly damaging, particularly for our small, drinks-led, community pubs, who provide essential connection in villages, towns and high streets across the UK. They have already weathered so much and with only one in four making a clear profit currently, the impact of increased regulation and restrictions on their ability to survive and thrive could be devastating."

You may also be interested in…