It would massively extend the 2007 UK smoking ban
The government is reportedly planning on extending the smoking ban to a number of other locations with the aim of improving public health.
The Sun claims to have seen leaked documents which say the government is planning on extending the indoor smoking ban to places like beer gardens.
The move could hamper the cashflow of pubs if people aren’t allowed to smoke in beer gardens, and smoking outside hospitals could also be banned.
A government spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on leaks.
“Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions.
If the leaked plans get put into place then you wouldn’t be able to light up in beer gardens. (Getty Stock Photo)
“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.”
The paper says that smoking in pub gardens and outside football stadiums would be off the table, while outdoor areas of restaurants, some small parks and the pavement outside nightclubs would also be in line for a smoking ban.
Vapes could be targeted along with cigarettes, with Shisha bars reportedly confirming as falling under the new rules.
2007 was the last time a major smoking ban was implemented, making smoking illegal in workplaces and enclosed public places.
According to health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), in the first year after that smoking ban was brought into place there was a 2.4 percent drop in hospital admissions for heart attacks.
That’s 1,200 fewer hospital admissions in one year, or a saving of £8.4 million.
The 2007 smoking ban also resulted in a 12.3 percent reduction in childhood asthma-related hospital admissions, with the NHS saving millions on having to treat fewer people.
The government has said they don’t comment on leaks. (Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, welcomed the idea that a smoking ban could be extended to other places, though stressed the need for there to still be outdoor areas where people could smoke.
She said: “ASH would support the inclusion of powers to extend smoke-free laws outdoors, subject to consultation.
“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, it’s also important to ensure that there are still outdoor areas where people who smoke can smoke in the open air, rather than inside their homes.”
A previous wide-ranging smoking ban that would have been brought in under Rishi Sunak’s government was shelved when the former prime minister called a general election.
However, the smoking ban enjoyed cross-party support and his successor Sir Keir Starmer still plans to go ahead with it.
Under the plans it would ban anyone born after a certain point from buying cigarettes, meaning an eventual end to smoking.
LADbible has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images/Getty Stock Photo
