Starmer faces backlash from pubs over ‘crazy’ outdoor smoking ban plans

Keir Starmer is on a collision course with the hospitality industry and political opponents after announcing plans for sweeping restrictions on outdoor smoking.

The proposals, which have not been rejected by the Prime Minister, would potentially ban tobacco use outside pubs and restaurants, including on pavements. The restrictions would come on top of existing plans to phase out smoking year by year.

Although the latest proposal was conceived under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives argued that the outdoor smoking restrictions were about “social control”, with Priti Patel – one of the candidates to replace Sunak as Conservative Party leader – calling them “beyond stupid”.

The plans were met with dismay from the pub industry, which argued that restrictions on outdoor smoking would harm a fragile sector still recovering from Covid. However, health experts backed the idea, with polls showing it had majority support among every demographic and voting group except Reform UK supporters.

The plan, first revealed in leaked documents to the sunwould restrict smoking outside pubs and restaurants, but also clubs, universities, children’s playgrounds and small parks, and possibly shisha bars. It was unclear whether this would also apply to vaping.

The measures would be included in an already announced bill on tobacco and vapes, which aims to gradually make all smoking illegal by banning the sale of tobacco to people born on or after January 2009. When this was announced in the King’s speech from the throne in July, there was no mention of changes to outdoor smoking.

Because public health is decentralised, the measures only apply to England. The other British countries can decide for themselves whether they want to follow suit.

Asked about the report during a visit to Paris, Starmer did not deny the plans. “My starting point here is to remind everyone that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking,” he said.

“That is an avoidable death, it is a huge burden on the NHS and of course it is a burden on the taxpayer. So yes, we will make decisions in this space, more details will be revealed, but this is an avoidable series of deaths and we must take action to reduce the burden on the NHS and the taxpayer.”

While the precise restrictions are likely to change following consultation, ministers are said to be supportive of many of the proposed ideas.

Figures from the hospitality industry, and in particular pub owners, expressed concern that the measures could lead to fresh uncertainty, even though official statistics show only one in 10 British adults still smoke.

Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, which represents thousands of pubs, restaurants and cafes, said a ban posed the prospect of “serious economic damage” to venues. “You only have to look back at the significant pub closures we saw following the indoor smoking ban to see the potential impact it could have,” she said.

Nicholls called on the government to have a “wide-ranging conversation” with relevant parties about the potential impact of such a ban before introducing legislation.

William Lees-Jones, the boss of JW Lees Brewery, which owns and operates 150 pubs, inns and hotels mainly in north-west England and north Wales, said the idea was a “bolt from the blue” that had not been discussed with the industry. He said it would be “really bad for business” and “could close a lot of pubs”.

“People who smoke are quite determined and will walk 10 metres away and smoke there, which will irritate other people,” he said.

Clive Watson, chairman of the Inda Pubs group, called it “a crazy idea”, adding: “After everything the pub industry has been through, surely we should be getting a period of stability?”

Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, said he did not think a ban would have a “major effect” on business, but added: “The question is whether the government should interfere with individual freedoms, where there is danger involved.”

Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said she was “heartened” to see progress being made on ending smoking. She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s absolutely the health challenge of our time. It’s the biggest cause of preventable disease in the UK, so we’re encouraged to see progress being made and the drive to really tackle one of the biggest drivers of health inequalities in Britain.”

While a majority of Conservative MPs voted in favor of Sunak’s phased smoking ban in April, some opposed the plan. Patel, the former home secretary, argued on Wednesday that the outdoor smoking restrictions would harm businesses and potentially endanger public safety if police resources were used to enforce them.

Robert Jenrick, who is also a candidate to become leader of the Conservative Party, tweeted about Starmer: “This man doesn’t understand our country.”

The Liberals said the plans should be weighed against the possible consequences for the hospitality industry.

YouGov Poll A poll conducted on Thursday showed the public was leaning towards backing the plan, with 58% of people saying they supported the idea, compared to 35% who did not. The figures were almost identical for Conservative voters.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We do not comment on leaks. Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts a huge strain on our NHS and costs taxpayers billions. We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of passive smoking. We are considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”

After smoking was banned in public places and workplaces in 2007, there were a total of 12,000 fewer hospital admissions in England the following year, according to the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash). The number of hospital admissions for childhood asthma fell by 12.3%.