UK: Labour gouvernement intends to ban smoking on terraces

The generational ban promised by the new government could be accompanied by tougher restrictions on smoking and non-smoking places.

While Keir Stammer’s new Labour government plans to relaunch the generational tobacco ban bill, it is also considering banning smoking on the terraces of bars and restaurants.

According to The Sun of August 28, which claims to have had access to Whitehall documents which have not yet been made public, the British government intends to ban smoking from a certain number of areas where smoking was previously authorized: terraces of cafes and restaurants, surroundings of football stadiums, small public gardens and hookah bars.

Nigel Farage, leader of the opposition Reform UK party, interviewed by the newspaper, believes that “this will be the end of pubs”. “The last thing this country needs is for thousands of pubs to close,” said Conservative MP Robert Jenrick. The project has also given rise to heated discussions within the government, with certain ministers fearing negative effects on the hospitality sector, says the tabloid.

Given current legislation, only establishments that sell cigars can have a smoking room for “sampling” (tasting of a cigar purchased on site in a sampling room). A certain number of other cigar-friendly establishments (large hotels, etc.) have opted for terraces (often heated) which could be threatened by this new tightening of anti-smoking legislation.

Also read our cover story “London, the city where Havana is king” in L’Amateur de Cigare English edition #17.