The United Kingdom Government is contemplating stricter regulations on outdoor smoking as part of a broader initiative to phase out tobacco use.
The proposed measures could see smoking banned in various outdoor settings, including pub gardens, open-air restaurants, as well as outside hospitals and sports grounds.
These proposals, which are still under development, are believed to be part of a more stringent version of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which the previous government had introduced but ultimately dropped before the last general election.
Health experts have expressed support for these new plans, although concerns have been raised within the government about the potential negative impact on the hospitality industry.
During the state opening of Parliament in July, the King’s Speech indicated the intention to reintroduce the previous government’s legislation, which included a provision to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 2009.
However, it remains uncertain whether the proposed outdoor smoking ban, initially reported by the Sun, would be implemented across the entire United Kingdom or solely in England.
The BBC has reached out to the government for additional details, but the Department of Health and Social Care has refrained from commenting on the leak, stating only that they are considering a range of measures aimed at making Britain “smoke-free.”
A spokesperson emphasized, “Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions. We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking.”
Hospitality leaders have voiced concerns that such a ban could have significant economic repercussions.
The Chief Executive of UK Hospitality, warned on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Kate Nicholls, said, “This needs to be thought through very carefully before we damage businesses and economic growth and jobs.”
Chief Executive of the Night Time Industries Association, Michael Kill, echoed these sentiments, noting that the potential new regulations “have understandably caused concern across the sector” and could impose an additional regulatory burden on businesses already grappling with various challenges.
On the other hand, health professionals have welcomed the proposed measures, describing them as long overdue.
Dr. Layla McCay of the NHS Confederation expressed optimism, saying, “Ultimately, all of these steps are steps in the same journey, which is towards a smoke-free future for Britain, reducing those health inequalities, reducing the huge problems that are caused to the individual and to society from smoking.”
Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, Deborah Arnott, added that the government is “catching up with what the public expects, and that’s not to have to breathe in tobacco smoke in places like children’s play areas and seating areas outside pubs, restaurants, and cafes.”
However, she cautioned that it is important to provide outdoor spaces where people can smoke in the open air rather than in their homes.
The proposals have sparked criticism from Conservative figures, including those vying for leadership positions.
Priti Patel, former home secretary, criticized the plans as “nanny state regulation” and warned of their potential economic harm. Former Home Office minister Robert Jenrick shared his concerns on social media, stating, “The last thing this country needs is thousands more pubs closing.”
A former Conservative special adviser, Anita Boateng, expressed her opposition during an interview with the BBC, saying, “It feels a very draconian step for people who are adults who can make decisions and who can legally smoke.” She added that individuals in outdoor pub gardens should have the choice to avoid second-hand smoke if they wish.
The leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, also condemned the proposals, describing them as “government overreach on a scale that is utterly ridiculous.”
He warned that implementing such measures could spell “the death knell of the pub.”
Smoking was responsible for an estimated 74,600 deaths in 2019, according to the latest data from NHS England.
In the 2022-23 period, there were 408,700 hospital admissions in England linked to smoking. The Office for National Statistics reported that around 12.9% of adults in the UK, or approximately 6.4 million people, smoked cigarettes in 2022, marking the lowest proportion of smokers since record-keeping began in 2011.
The highest smoking rates are observed among those aged 25-34, while the lowest are found in individuals aged 65 and older.
During his time as prime minister, Rishi Sunak introduced plans to create a “smoke-free generation” and reduce smoking-related deaths.
However, his Tobacco and Vapes Bill was shelved when he called the general election in May.
Upon assuming power, the Labour government adopted the bill and has since incorporated it into their legislative agenda.
