Sir Keir Starmer today refused to deny reports his government is considering banning smoking in some outdoor spaces like pub gardens – sparking concern from the struggling hospitality industry.
UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls 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.
“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.”
UKHospitality wants the government to conduct a thorough consultation on the potential impacts – and suggests a ban might not even reduce smoking, but “simply relocate smoking elsewhere, such as in the home”.
The demise of the British pub was the focus of a Money blog long read earlier this month – it’s well worth five minutes of your commute home…
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