Outdoor smoking ban proposal to reduce strain on the NHS

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the proposal to ban smoking in public spaces including beer gardens and outside of nightclubs, hospitals and sports venues is under review due to the 'huge burden' smoking places on the NHS and the taxpayer.

He said the measures are intended to reduce the 80,000 preventable deaths caused by smoking every year.

The announcement has been met with mixed reactions across the country based on the hospitality industry and public health.

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Carol Stirling, who owns the pub and restaurant Blenkinsopp Castle Inn, near Greenhead, said: "There are only a handful of regular smokers these days and they go well out of the way of other people to smoke, we have never had a complaint.

The Blenkinsopp Castle Inn's garden space (Image: Supplied)

"Surely, this is up to the pub to be respectful of their customers, this is not a government matter. Please don’t waste money on this campaign, instead concentrate on industry, education, health and well-being."

Northumberland County Council offers free support for people to quit smoking and started the Swap to Stop scheme in May to encourage smokers to swap cigarettes for vapes.

Northumberland executive director of public health, Gill O’Neill, has previously supported the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, to increase the legal age for purchasing tobacco in England.

Hexham MP Joe Morris said: "It wouldn't be right for me to comment on speculation, but given that smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, costing taxpayers billions and exacerbating pressures on the NHS, it's absolutely right that this Government is examining a range of options to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking.

"Already, I have met with some of our local pubs to speak about the vital role they play in our communities. I will continue to be a champion for the brilliant venues our constituency has to offer and will continue to meet with our hospitality industry." 

Meanwhile, Prudhoe south ward county councillor Gordon Stewart said many of his ward residents were 'in disbelief' at the banning of outdoor smoking.

He said: "They are concerned about businesses and also the mental health of people who go to beer gardens to socialise."

Our readers reacted to the news on social media, with some claiming it would be the 'final nail in the coffin' for the hospitality industry. 

Nigel Everitt-Stanley said: "It killed the pubs when they banned smoking inside the building, it will be the final nail in the coffin if they ban smoking outside."

Other readers, including Anita Dawson and Diane McClarron Elliot, supported the ban.

Wendy Howes and Patricia Davies said individuals should be able to decide if they want to smoke outdoors in public areas.

Hexham town councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken had a mixed opinion on the ban. She organises regular town litter picks as part of the Wombles community group and said they find many cigarette butts left outside buildings.

"As a Liberal Democrat, I'm not keen on banning things, unless they impact others and this does but both ways," she said. "A pub beer garden smoking ban will adversely affect an already struggling hospitality industry and I don't feel that's very fair.

"However, with the Wombles, I have seen the volumes of cigarette butts left outside buildings, especially hospitals, sadly and therefore I do think a ban here might do some good for the environment as well as public health.

"The previous ban on indoor spaces halved the number of smokers in a really quick time and the NHS is certainly seeing the benefits of that. I'm afraid I'm torn so maybe it should be location-specific. Hospitals yes; pub gardens no."