Government refuses to comment on reports of it dropping proposed outdoor smoking ban

The Department for Health and Social Care said it will not comment on reports of Downing Street blocking plans to ban outdoor smoking.

Back in August, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government was considering a ban on outdoor smoking in a bid to bring down the 80,000 preventable deaths caused by smoking in the UK each year.

The ban would include outdoor restaurants and outside sports venues, hospitals, nightclubs, and in some small parks.

But reports have now surfaced of Downing Street blocking the ban from being included in the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes bill, amid strong opposition by the hospitality sector.

The Guardian reports Morgan McSweeney, the prime minister's chief of staff, is not keen to proceed with the measure.

"It is an unserious policy. Nobody really believes smoking outdoors is a major health problem," one Downing Street official told the paper.

A spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care told Sky News they did not comment on leaks.

"Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions," a statement read.

"We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking.

"We're considering a range of measures to put us on track to a smoke-free UK."

The hospitality industry has previously said a ban on outdoor smoking would be the "final nail in the coffin" for pubs and restaurants.

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Smoking is the UK's biggest preventable killer, causing around one in four cancer deaths and leading to 64,000 deaths per year in England, according to Dr Javed Khan's 2022 review into making smoking obsolete.

How would the outdoor ban work?

Smoking has been illegal in enclosed public places and workplaces since 2007 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland - and since 2006 in Scotland.

The current bans do not cover vapes.

Breaking the law on smoking in workplaces carries a £200 maximum fine in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - and £50 in Scotland. Businesses can be given penalties of up to £2,500 for failing to enforce the rules.

An outdoor ban would likely apply the same rules to most outdoor spaces - including some parks, all pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, sports venues, and areas outside nightclubs and hospitals.

(c) Sky News 2024: Government refuses to comment on reports of it dropping proposed outdoor smoking ban