Smoking ban for pub gardens and restaurant terraces to be dropped
According to The Sun, the proposed ban on smoking in some open-air spaces will no longer apply to hospitality settings.
Areas outside hospitals and schools, however, will still be covered.
Back in August, leaked documents revealed that the Government was looking to toughen up the previous Conservative government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill by extending the indoor smoking ban to most outdoor public spaces.
At the time it was warned that such a move could cause ‘serious economic harm’ to hospitality venues.
The Sun reports that the final legislation has not yet been fully signed off by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, but is expected to be presented to Parliament in the coming weeks.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, a leading advocacy group for the night time economy, said the decision to amend the legislation signalled the start of a ‘renewed understanding from ministers’ of the potential impact the smoking ban could have had on the sector.
“This is a clear victory for industry bodies that have fought hard, proving the power of collective action,” he added.
“We hope this shift indicates more informed decisions that will protect and support the night time economy moving forward.”
