Landlords fear outdoor smoking ban 'a sneak attack' on pubs

New plans, which Sir Keir Starmer confirmed are on the table, could see an end to smoking in pub beer gardens, outdoor restaurants, and outside hospitals and sports grounds.

Smoking is the UK's biggest preventable cause of death, causing 80,000 deaths every year, and killing two-thirds of long-term tobacco users.

The prime minister says the move could reduce smoking-related health problems, which would have a positive knock-on effect on a struggling NHS.

But hospitality bosses in Northwich, Winsford, and Knutsford have all raised concerns the move could ‘alienate’ smokers, which could have a detrimental impact on their pubs.

Pictured here with comedian Al Murray, Ernie Welch (right) of the Old Star thinks the government needs to 'look at the bigger picture' (Image: Newsquest)

Kris Perrin, who runs the Ring o’ Bells in Weaverham, even believes the move is ‘a sneaky way of trying to get rid of pubs’.

He added: “Personally, I think it’s a terrible idea.

“All it will do is alienate smokers from going out, and then there's another percentage of the general public that will stop using pubs.

“The hospitality industry is being hit so hard at the moment, and after losing 239 UK pubs in the first quarter of 2024, this will only increase dramatically.

“I feel the Government don't care about the Great British pub, and they are sneakily finding a way of getting rid of us.”

Ernie Welch, who runs the Old Star on Darnhall Lane in Winsford, said: “Like a lot of pubs, we’ve got a purpose-built smoking area which non-smokers are free not to enter.

“Pubs are supposed to be places of relaxation, and which ever way you look at it, a lot of drinkers still smoke.

“I packed up smoking many years ago after my dad died of lung cancer, and if I’m honest, I think the smoking ban inside has worked well.

The Dun Cow's patio could soon be a smoke free zone, which landlord, Curtis Joyson, thinks may be 'a step too far' (Image: Newsquest)

“I can remember the days when you’d be emptying the ashtrays on the bar every 20 minutes. They’d be piled high. I’m glad we’ve moved away from that.

“But trying to totally stop smoking entirely, even outside, is going to create another monster. It’ll be very difficult to manage.

“I think it’s probably a good thing health-wise, but the government need to look at the bigger picture and allow smokers to have an area, even if it’s a small space down the bottom of the beer garden.

“They’ve got to let us provide somewhere. There are enough barriers against people going to pubs nowadays.

“Since Covid, people have been used to not coming to the pub and drinking at home instead.”

Curtis Joyson, who runs the Dun Cow in Ollerton, believes the impact will be greatest on ‘wet-led’ pubs – that is, those which rely more on drinkers than diners to keep them afloat.

He said: “It’s a real tough one. I remember when they banned smoking inside pubs in 2007, and everyone got on their high horse.

“For the customer, I think it was probably a good thing, but a lot of wet-led pubs suffered a great deal. I think a lot of those pubs were lost as a result.

“I’m not quite sure what the proposal is driving at. I think it’s unlikely to encourage drinkers who smoke to give up completely.

“It’s more likely to just push people out on to the street, which from a hospitality perspective, is less than ideal. At the moment, smoker can use our patio.

“Some landlords are going to really hate it. Personally, I think it’s a step too far.”