Starmer: Ban on Smoking in Pub Gardens Could Reduce Burden on NHS

Keir Starmer has confirmed the Government could ban smoking in pub gardens and other outdoor areas, arguing it would reduce the “burden” on the NHS. The Telegraph has more.

The Prime Minister told journalists in Paris on Thursday that ministers were looking at tightening smoking restrictions. Critics labelled the potential move as “authoritarian” and a “nanny state” policy.

Sir Keir said: “My starting point on this is to remind everybody that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. That is a preventable death, it’s a huge burden on the NHS and, of course, it is a burden on the taxpayer.

“So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space, more details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths and we’ve got to take action to reduce the burden on the NHS and the taxpayer.”

The Government is considering a ban on smoking in pub gardens as well as other outdoor areas like outside football stadiums, outdoor restaurants and open-air spaces at nightclubs.

The proposals, first reported by the Sun, will be subject to a public consultation but they have sparked a furious backlash from politicians and the hospitality industry.

Nigel Farage, the Reform U.K. leader, said the Government was guilty of a “massive overreach”.

He told Talk TV: “It is not nanny-statism. It is authoritarianism. It is ‘I know what is best for you and you will damn well do it and what I am going to do is I am going to take your legal activity and make it illegal’.

“That is really what they are saying here. A smoke-free Britain by 2030. Really? Will it be drugs-free by 2030? Will it be obesity-free? Will it be alcoholism-free?

“This is a massive overreach by Government. I loathe these people and their very instincts.”

Tory leadership contenders also condemned the proposals. …

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We do not comment on leaks. Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions.

“We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking. We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”

Worth reading in full.

If smoking kills 80,000 people early each year, surely it is likely to be a net gain to the public purse? Not that this is the right way to make public policy (what happened to personal freedom?) But if you’re going to make law based on what “relieves the burden” on the NHS and public spending, you should at least make sure you’ve got the calculations correct. More likely, of course, any excuse to clamp down on the common people’s pleasures will do.

Stop Press: Starmer is facing a backlash from Labour MPs and ministers over his “mad” smoking ban plan, with one source claiming some ministers believe Sue Gray is behind it.