Pub garden smoking ban no longer in government plans

The government has decided to abandon its plans to prohibit smoking in the outdoor areas of pubs and restaurants in England.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed that he aims to avoid adding any more damage to the hospitality sector, noting that "people don't want to see their local high streets deteriorating."

The government is looking into implementing a ban on smoking in areas like children's playgrounds and in front of schools and hospitals. However, there isn't much information available about how this ban would be enforced or monitored.

The primary aim of the revised Tobacco and Vapes Bill is to establish a smoke-free generation in the UK by prohibiting anyone aged 15 or younger from ever purchasing cigarettes.

Streeting mentioned that he had talks with representatives from the hospitality industry during the summer and chose against implementing the proposed ban on outdoor smoking in pubs, bars, and restaurants.

During an interview on Radio 4's Today programme, he stated, "There are numerous actions we can take in public health that won't interfere with individuals' freedoms or their means of earning a living."

The trade organization UK Hospitality expressed that the suggested changes have created concern within the industry.

"Now is not the moment to impose additional expenses on businesses, and we’re happy that the government has responded to the industry’s worries," stated CEO Kate Nicholls.

The British Beer and Pub Association, representing 20,000 pubs across the UK, expressed its approval of the decision to reverse the ban, noting that the previous restrictions could have forced numerous pubs to close and resulted in job losses.

Rather than the existing rules, the new Bill proposes that the government may broaden smokefree laws in England to include outdoor spaces like playgrounds, schools, and hospital grounds. This is intended to safeguard children and those who are most at risk from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Nonetheless, it's uncertain how this would be implemented in reality.

Streeting proposed that implementing outdoor smoking bans could be as effective as imposing fines for illegal dumping and other disruptive activities.

"We'll discuss the specific areas where the ban will be enforced, but I believe that having enforcement officers actively monitoring and penalizing those involved in this behavior could have a significant impact," he said during an interview on BBC Breakfast.

The smokers' advocacy organization Forest described the prohibition on smoking near hospitals as "harsh," arguing that it can provide a source of solace for patients, visitors, and staff who are seeking a peaceful moment away from stress.

In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, it's already illegal to smoke on the premises of NHS hospitals. The Scottish government specifies that this applies to areas within 15 meters of any NHS hospital building.

In Wales, all schoolyards, public play areas, and the outdoor spaces of daycare and childcare facilities must be smoke-free.

A prohibition on the sale of single-use vapes will be implemented starting next June, as announced by all four countries in the UK.

As youth vaping continues to increase, this initiative seeks to prevent children from becoming addicted to nicotine by limiting their access to inexpensive, colorful vaping products.

With the new legislation, the government is now able to limit the types of vape flavors, as well as regulate how they are displayed and packaged.

There are discussions about possibly prohibiting vaping in certain outdoor spaces as well. However, some health professionals are cautioning against this decision, arguing that it sends mixed signals.

Professor Caitlin Notley, an expert in addiction sciences at the University of East Anglia, emphasized the need to concentrate on the significant health risks associated with tobacco smoking. She urged that we should not discourage individuals from considering safer options like vaping.

She noted that this might inadvertently lead to a rise in tobacco use.

According to the NHS, switching from smoking to vaping can lower the chances of dying from various illnesses, such as cancer, heart disease, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. Cigarettes have tobacco, which releases thousands of toxic substances when lit.

There are also plans for a licensing system for stores, requiring all retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Retailers caught selling to customers under 18 or offering unregulated items could face immediate fines of £200.

The vaping sector expressed its support for the decision, calling it "a win for honest businesses" and stating that it would "prevent illegal sellers from targeting minors and creating a profitable black market."

Since 2017, Scotland has implemented a system for registering retailers that sell these products.

All suggestions will be available for public discussion during the next six months.

Health charities have expressed their support for the government's initiatives.

Action on Smoking and Health expressed their commitment to fostering an environment where young people are discouraged from starting to smoke. However, the charity cautioned that the government still needs to outline a clear plan to assist the six million smokers in the UK who wish to quit.

"This initiative will need adequate funding, which will be sourced from a tax on tobacco companies," stated Professor Nick Hopkinson, the chair of the charity.

Dr. Charmaine Griffiths, the CEO of the British Heart Foundation, expressed her support for the government's promise to shield children and at-risk individuals from second-hand smoke in places like schools, playgrounds, and hospital areas.

"We support efforts to make vaping less attractive to young individuals," she stated.

Cancer Research UK stated that the dangers of secondhand smoke are well-known and voiced its support for the government's initiative to establish smoke-free environments.

Further contributions by Jacqueline Howard.