Starmer plots OUTDOOR smoking ban: Leaked plans reveal PM’s aim to stop people lighting up in pub gardens, near football grounds and in children’s parks – sparking fears for hospitality sector and ‘nanny state’ accusations

Smoking is set to be banned in pub gardens, a leaked report has revealed – as well as outside football grounds and in children’s parks.

Nightclub smoking areas, restaurant terraces and even shisha bars could all have their right to light up axed in shock new plans by Keir Starmer‘s Labour government.

Pavements by universities and hospitals are also expected to be smoke-free zones, according to secret Whitehall papers seen by The Sun.

It comes under a bill that was first introduced by Rishi Sunak – which was a plan to phase out all smoking. But the King’s Speech made no mention of an outdoor ban.

Brits will still be allowed to smoke in their own homes and large open spaces, like streets and parks. 

But other locations are said to be grey areas and still under discussion – including beaches and enclosed, popular parks.

The report also mentions vape-free zones, although it is unclear whether the ban could also include e-cigarettes. 

The shock move is expected to spark fury towards Starmer’s party – with criticism of ‘nanny state’ politics and memos from the Business Department already warning the hospitality sector could be hit.

Slamming the move, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage predicted: ‘It will be the end of pubs.’ 

Nightclub smoking areas, restaurant terraces and children’s parks could all be axed in shock new plans by Keir Starmer ‘s Labour government. Pictured: File photo

The shock move is expected to spark fury towards Starmer’s party – with criticism of ‘nanny state’ politics and memos from the Business Department already warning the hospitality sector could be hit. Pictured: File photo

Slamming the move, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage predicted: ‘It will be the end of pubs’

 Labour will easily be able to get the ban through Parliament given its huge majority. No Labour MPs voted against the Tories’ anti-smoking legislation in April

A recent impact assessment has even found that banning smoking outdoors could cost jobs and force even more pubs to close, the tabloid reports. 

It could spell the end of the shisha bar industry in the UK, which held more than 500 national locations in 2022.

But amid rising fears as to the effect cigarettes could have on the nation’s health, it is reported that the Prime Minister is set to press forward with the bill.

He is said to have the backing of Chief Medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, while ministers will argue that the economic benefits outweigh its potential costs. 

Ministers are expected to claim smoking costs £21.8billion in health spending. 

The original ban on indoor smoking, introduced across the UK by Tony Blair in 2007, was blamed by some for leading to the closure of pubs, particularly smaller ones that could not adapt. 

A public consultation will be launched over the ban, but this is not expected to sway the radical plans.

It comes despite a 2020 government release explicitly warning that banning cigarettes in pub gardens could ‘lead to significant closures and job losses’.

Children’s parks, pavements by universities and hospitals are also expected to be smoke-free zones, according to secret Whitehall papers seen by The Sun. Pictured: File photo

The plans could ban people from enjoying a cigarette on a restaurant terrace

The move could even spell the end for people being able to smoke outside nightclubs

Shisha bars could also be hit by the controversial plans – which brings fears that the hospitality sector will be hit

It is unclear how far away from a location such as a pub or restaurant a smoker would have to walk before they could legally light up.

Labour will easily be able to get the ban through Parliament given its huge majority.

No Labour MPs voted against the Tories’ anti-smoking legislation in April.

It was opposed by 58 Conservatives including current leadership contenders Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick.

However many of the rebels including ex-PM Liz Truss are no longer in Parliament, further diminishing the likelihood of opposition to the revised legislation.

It comes just months after the House of Commons overwhelmingly approved the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, inching the government closer to enforcing in law that anyone born after January 1 2009 would never be able to legally buy cigarettes. 

If eventually passed, it would have meant that the age at which people can purchase cigarettes will be raised by one year annually. 

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2023 health report showed 12.7 per cent of Brits over the age of 15 smoke cigarettes daily, far higher than the US and New Zealand

Starmer is said to have the backing of Chief Medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, while ministers will argue that the economic benefits outweigh its potential costs

Many of the Tory rebels who battled the smoking ban including ex-PM Liz Truss are no longer in Parliament, further diminishing the likelihood of opposition to the revised legislation

It was planned to give the Government powers to tackle youth vaping, with restrictions on flavours and new rules on packaging and selling vapes. 

Just last month, it was revealed there has been a 17 per cent surge in cases over the last two decades with the likes of liver, throat and kidney cancers doubling in this time, according to analysis by Cancer Research UK. 

While smoking rates are falling, the growing population means there are still around 6.4 million smokers in the UK. 

Data from the charity shows there were around 57,600 diagnoses of cancers caused by smoking in 2023, compared to 49,325 in 2003.

Tobacco is known to cause 16 different types of cancer, with lung cancer alone causing 33,000 cases annually.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson aid: ‘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 second-hand smoking. We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.’ 

This is a breaking story, more to follow.