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UK pub garden smoking ban called off
Health secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed the UK’s new smoking laws will not include a ban for outdoor hospitality.
Streeting was speaking on the Today programme on Radio 4 ahead of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill being introduced to parliament today (5 November): “On hospitality – which was a measure that was floated in the newspapers over the course of the summer – as with all of the public health measures we’re weighing up as a government, we weighed up the upside to taking such action in terms of deterring smoking and preventing harms from smoking and the downside risks.
“I wouldn’t generally commend leaks in internal government policy debates, but one of the consequences of the leak of that particular discussion is it meant that over the summer and in recent weeks, we’ve been able to have a discussion with the hospitality sector and with members of parliament, reflecting on some of the challenges facing UK hospitality today and so therefore take a decision that we won’t go ahead with an outdoor ban.”
He confirmed that smoking outside schools, hospitals and playgrounds will be banned, but hospitality will not be affected.
“There are lots of things that we can and will do on public health that don’t impact on people’s liberties or people’s livelihoods,” he continued. “Where they do impact on people’s liberties or people’s livelihoods you have to weigh up the evidence on the upside risks and also the evidence and the arguments on the downside risks.
“That’s the approach we’ve taken during the debate about this particular measure. People will agree, people will disagree. There will be a consultation in the usual way – a genuine consultation following the passage of the bill through parliament, so there is still plenty of opportunity for people to have their say.”
When the plans to ban smoking for outdoor hospitality were originally leaked, the on-trade was opposed, with Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, asking: “Are we on the brink of becoming a nanny state? What is next?”
Following the confirmation that the plans for hospitality will not proceed, Kill said: “We welcome the government’s decision to scrap the proposed smoking ban for pubs and clubs. This shift recognises the important role our venues play as controlled, socially responsible spaces within communities. The initial proposals risked significant harm to our industry, which is still in the process of recovery from the pandemic and other economic pressures.
“The revised focus of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on restricting smoking in high-risk areas, such as those outside hospitals and schools, strikes a much-needed balance. This approach addresses public health concerns while also protecting the night-time economy, which contributes so much to our society both culturally and financially. We are grateful that the government took into account the strong representations from our sector and listened to the voices of operators across the UK.
“This pragmatic decision will allow pubs, bars, and clubs to continue operating in a way that respects the choices of patrons while also prioritising the wellbeing of local communities. We look forward to working with policymakers to ensure that our venues remain vibrant, safe, and welcoming spaces for all.”
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