Pub garden smoking ban set to be DROPPED by No10 after fears move would be death knell for boozers
THE proposed ban on smoking in pub gardens is on the cusp of being dropped by Sir Keir Starmer, The Sun can reveal.
Instead, fags are only expected to be prohibited outside hospitals and schools.
Brits will still be able to light up in the hospitality sector – so outside at boozers and horse race courses.
Downing Street is understood to be watering down the draconian anti-smoking plans after an outcry from Brits and businesses.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for a “national debate” on stubbing out smoking.
Chief Medical officer Chris Whitty has been pushing for a wide-ranging outside smoking ban.
The final legislation has not been fully signed off by the PM and Mr Streeting yet.
But it is expected to be presented to parliament in the coming weeks.
In the summer, The Sun revealed leaked government documents showing that ministers were secretly plotting to massively extend the smoking ban.
The original plans would have seen lighting up banned outdoors at restaurants, pub gardens and clubs.
But pubs warned it would kill off business and lead to boozers closing.
Analysis from the British Beer and Pub Association claimed three pubs a week would close because of the ban.
This would mean an extra 800 venues going to the wall in the next five years.
A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. 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 put us on track to a smoke-free UK.”
Disposable vapes are being banned in a bid to crack down on plastic waste smoking, The Sun revealed yesterday.
A government spokesman said no final decision has been taken.
RIGHT TO BAN CIGS OUTSIDE?
YES
Says Lizzie Parry, Head of Health
SMOKING kills more people than obesity, alcohol, drugs and lack of exercise combined.
Most deaths are down to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease.
But it’s also linked to cancer of the lip, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, stomach and liver.
And it’s not just your health that’s affected.
Inhaling second-hand smoke has been linked to a greater risk of heart disease, lung and breast cancers, strokes, dementia and asthma in non-smokers.
Anything that helps create a world that protects children and young people from the harms of smoking is a no-brainer to me.
I’m old enough to remember nights out before the smoking ban, when it was normal to get home stinking of smoke and with your clothes ruined by fag burns.
Maybe in ten years the idea of smoking in public will be just that — a horrible memory.
Younger generations will thank us.
NO
Says Shaun Custis, Head of Sport
I NEED a fag just to calm down after the latest clampdown from the government zealots — and I haven’t had one for a month.
I’m one of those occasional smokers who likes a cig in the backyard of the pub on a Friday night after a couple of pints but rarely goes near them otherwise.
Yes, I know no fags are better, but give me a break.
At least it’s not a double cheese burger and fries, which is no doubt next on the list of the health police.
The argument goes the ban on smoking inside pubs didn’t kill the trade.
But being able to pop outside for a drag saved the day.
Now, if you can’t even do that, it will be time to stay at home, invite your mates round and nip out to the patio — until they stop you smoking on your own land.
And, as drinking is also bad for you, we’re not far off an alcohol ban in pubs, too, in this world of utter madness.
It’s insane. Anyone got a light?