As part of more stringent regulations against tobacco and e-cigarettes, smoking may be prohibited in certain outdoor areas, according to leaked government documents.
The new regulations might prohibit shisha bars, and policies could also specifically target vapers.
It is not anticipated that the limits will apply to private residences or large open areas like streets or parks.
Earlier this year, Labour brought back proposals to phase out smoking and prohibit the promotion and sale of vapes to minors. Numerous health advocates support the initiative, which was first proposed by the previous Conservative government but put on hold when the general election was called.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) told the Standard: “The priority is to get the Bill back in parliament and put on the statute book, to end smoking for the next generation and curb youth vaping. ASH would support the inclusion of powers to extend smoke-free laws outdoors, subject to consultation. The Government is catching up with what the public expects, and that’s not to have to breathe in tobacco smoke in places like children’s play areas and seating areas outside pubs, restaurants and cafes.”
However, not everyone is happy. Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, stated that an external prohibition begs the question “what is next?”.
He said: “This raises the critical question: Are we on the brink of becoming a nanny state? What is next? While these measures may rightly be driven by public health considerations, they risk dividing opinion and imposing yet another regulatory burden on businesses already facing considerable challenges. At a time when our industry desperately needs the freedom to trade, the last thing we need is further barriers.”
A prohibition, according to Reem Ibrahim of the think tank Institute of Economic Affairs, would be “another nail in the coffin for the pub industry”. She said: “The government’s own impact assessment concluded that banning smoking outdoors will lead to pub closures and job losses.”
What are the current UK smoking rules?
The current legal age for buying cigarettes and other tobacco products across the UK is 18 years old, the same as for alcohol.
This is also the age that teenagers become legal adults, enabling them to vote and access various other rights.
How have smoking rules changed in the past?
The legal age to buy cigarettes was raised from 16 in 2007 by the last Labour government, the first change to the age since 1908.
In July 2007, it also became illegal throughout the UK to smoke in any pub, restaurant, nightclub, and most workplaces and work vehicles.
There are around 6.4 million smokers in the UK
PA Wire
What else is the Government trying to do to stop smokers?
In July, during the King’s speech at the opening of Parliament, Labour laid out a pledge to bring back the proposal that would gradually raise the legal age of cigarette purchase.
Downing Street previously said it believes that recent government proposals of raising the legal smoking age will mean up to 1.7 million fewer people smoking by 2075, but it’s not the only measure in place to reduce the number of smokers in the UK.
Tobacco products were also taxed at a higher rate since the Autumn Budget of 2021, when the Government announced that hand-rolling tobacco duty would increase in 2022 and 2023 by an additional four percentage points.
