Government rows back on plans for outdoor smoking ban

Plans for an outdoor smoking ban could be dropped amid fears of “serious economic harm” to the hospitality industry.

The Guardian reported Morgan McSweeney, the prime minister’s chief of staff, is “not keen” on proceeding with the ban, which would affect nightclubs, bars, restaurants and pubs.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had confirmed the proposal for an outdoor smoking ban in August after leaked Whitehall documents revealed ministers were looking at banning smoking in outdoor restaurants and outside nightclubs, sports venues, hospitals and some small parks.

Starmer said at the time: “My starting point on this is to remind everyone that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking, it’s a huge burden on the NHS and of course on the taxpayer.

“So, yes we are going to take decisions in this space. More details will be revealed but this is a preventable cause of deaths, and we’ve got to take the action.”

However, the government is believed to be having second thoughts about the scope of the proposed ban.

A government official told The Guardian Downing Street is blocking the plan due to additional cost pressures. They said that while smoking may be banned in some outdoor spaces, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is unlikely to include hospitality venues because “the evidence is too thin”.

A government source also told The Mirror: “No decision has been taken on pubs and hospitality.”

Last month, health secretary Wes Streeting had told The Times he would not go ahead with the ban unless it was something voters wanted to see.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “A ban on smoking in outdoor spaces comes with the prospect of serious economic harm to hospitality venues. 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. 

"A 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.”

She added: “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.”

A recent survey by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) found a majority of independent pub operators were concerned about the proposed outdoor smoking ban.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “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. We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”

Read more: What have publicans said about the potential outdoor smoking ban?

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