‘The end of pubs,’ Farage leads fury over ‘nanny state’ smoking ban plan sparking fears thousands more boozers will shut

Leaked Plans Spark Backlash

LEAKED plans to ban smoking in pub gardens has sparked up a massive backlash today - with bosses declaring it a hammer blow.

Secret government proposals to outlaw cigarettes in a raft of outdoor locations have been exclusively revealed. Lighting up will be stubbed out at outdoor restaurants, open-air spaces at clubs, and outside football stadiums.

Industry Concerns and Political Backlash

Sir Keir Starmer is pushing ahead with the drastic plans in a bid to phase out tobacco and spare non-smokers from passive smoking. But the hospitality sector sounded the alarm that it could cripple already-struggling pubs and bars - while Nigel Farage warned it could spell the "end of pubs."

Backers of the outdoor smoking ban said it would help save lives and billions for the NHS. However, furious politicians decried the plans as "nanny-statism" and vowed to oppose the plans.

Impact on Businesses and Public Health

A recent impact assessment concluded that banning outdoor smoking will lead to closures and job losses. Despite the concerns, the PM has resolved to press ahead with the outdoor ban with the backing of England’s Chief Medical Officer.

Future Plans and Public Opinion

A public consultation will be launched over the outdoor smoking ban, but is unlikely to change the Government’s position. The goal is to make England "smoke-free" by 2030, with only five percent of the population smoking by then.

Ministers will argue that the economic benefits of the ban far outweigh the costs, as smoking costs the Treasury billions in health spending. The plans also mention vape-free areas and potential restrictions on shisha bars.

Final Thoughts

While the outdoor smoking ban is viewed as a radical move, especially for pub gardens and restaurant seating areas, the government is determined to make Britain smoke-free to protect children and non-smokers from second-hand smoking.