Smoking ban extension: pubs and mayor react to proposals

Leaked Whitehall documents appear to show the government is planning to extend the indoor smoking ban to open air gardens and football stadiums, according to The Sun.

Sir Keir Starmer has not ruled out the idea when speaking to reporters this morning (August 29) as he said "we have got to take action to reduce the burden” of smoking on the NHS and taxpayers.

But White Lion landlord Sean Byrne warned that the idea would be “terrible” for the nightlife sector already struggling with the cost of living crisis.

Sean Byrne said pubs were already struggling with the cost of living crisis. (Image: Sean Byrne) Sean, who has run the St Albans Road pub with wife Ausra since 2021, said: “There’s enough pressure on hospitality at the moment and it’s another nail in the coffin for pubs.

“The cost of living crisis means people aren’t going out as much and the prices that the beers are going up mean we are having to raise our prices.

The White Lion landlord called it another nail in the coffin. (Image: Sean Byrne) “If people aren’t allowed to smoke in the beer garden when they have a beer, they will just do it at home instead.”

Watford mayor Peter Taylor said he was "sceptical" about the proposals and felt "people should be as free as possible to make their own choices".

“Most of us can see the sense in banning smoking inside buildings and in bars and restaurants, it would now seem quite odd if someone started smoking in one of these," he added.

Watford Mayor Peter Taylor said he felt should be as free as possible to make their own choices. “I am not a smoker but have not noticed this being a problem in local beer gardens. There is a risk that this will hurt our hospitality sector, which is still recovering from the pandemic."

He added government policy since 2015 has seen spending slashed on public health which hit smoking cessation programmes. Mr Taylor urged Labour to reverse that trend rather than risk hurting local pubs and bars.

The move would see smoking banned in open air beer gardens like this one at The Three Crowns. (Image: The Three Crowns)

Watford's Labour MP Matt Turmaine said: "I was once a smoker myself and am healthier since packing up.

"I think we need to wait and see what official proposals come forward."

Nightlife bodies have hit out at the idea as UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls warned it could mean “serious economic harm” for the industry.

“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,” she added.

“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.”

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin, whose chain operates High Street's The Moon Under Water, said he did not think it would affect the business.

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said the move would affect the national pub chain. (Image: Google Street View) Mr Martin said he had introduced non-smoking pubs before the indoors ban, but felt the argument for stopping smoking outside was “diluted” in comparison.

“I don't think banning smoking in beer gardens will have a big effect on our business one way or the other and is really a libertarian issue,” he added.

Greene King, which owns the Estcourt Tavern, Southern Cross and Tudor Arms, and Star Pubs and Bars, which owns Thekaa Watford and The Estcourt Arms, declined to comment.