Majority of Britons would back a smoking ban in pub gardens

Almost two-thirds of people in Britain would support a ban on smoking in pub gardens, a new poll has shown.

The charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) described such a move as one of several “common sense” steps needed to “support a smoke-free generation”.

The majority of the public also supported banning smoking in areas such as university campuses and bus stops.

Additionally, more than nine in 10 people surveyed believe that anti-smoking laws should be extended to children’s playgrounds.

These findings follow the UK’s legislative milestone last month, when the Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Bill received royal assent, making it the first country in Europe to introduce laws preventing anyone aged 17 and under from legally purchasing cigarettes.

Government consultations seeking views on extending smoke-free laws to outdoor areas outside playgrounds or hospitals and creating areas where vaping is prohibited closed on May 8.

A new YouGov poll of 13,259 people for Ash found that 93 per cent of adults support smoke-free playgrounds, while 78 per cent support smoke-free bus stops.

62 percent said they would support non-smoking laws being applied to outdoor accommodation areas such as pub gardens, while 68 percent supported smoke-free university and college campuses.

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Ash, said: “The smoke-free law has been one of the biggest public health success stories in recent years, but millions of people are still exposed to harmful second-hand smoke outdoors.

“The public are making it clear they want more places to breathe clean air. As ministers review the findings from the consultations, there is a strong mandate to go further and faster.

“Extending smoke-free laws to areas such as pub gardens, all playgrounds, university campuses and transport hubs is a common-sense next step that will protect health and support a smoke-free generation.”

Government forecasts suggest the Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Bill could reduce the total number of smokers aged 14 and over from 5,502,164 in 2023 to 701,167 in 2056.

Modeling also predicts that around 154,800 deaths will be prevented in England by 2100.

Ash is also calling on the Government to develop a plan to reduce smoking in the home, especially around children.

He also said an e-cigarette-free exemption should be implemented in smoking cessation services to ensure smokers are encouraged to switch to e-cigarettes to quit smoking.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “The Tobacco and Vaping Act is a historic step towards Britain’s first smoke-free generation, protecting them from the harms of smoking and delivering on our ambition for a smoke-free UK.

“We are carefully considering our consultations and responses regarding free venues closed on Friday.

“As part of the consultation, we set out proposals to make a number of environments free of smoke, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, including children’s play areas and outside schools. We also proposed that indoor areas where smoking is already prohibited be made free of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco.

“This strikes the right balance between protecting the most vulnerable people and limiting any potential negative impacts on businesses.”