Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe has called for the return of indoor smoking rooms in pubs, sparking debate nearly two decades after the 2007 ban. He argues that landlords should have the freedom to allow smoking in contained rooms, stating on X: "If adults want to smoke inside a contained room, and the landlord is happy to provide that, then it's none of our business. Crack on."
Criticism and defense
The proposal has drawn fierce criticism online. One X user warned that "introducing a 'smoking room' will inevitably mean overspill," while another said: "I wouldn't visit a pub that supports smoking." A third added: "Drinking alcohol does not cause inconvenience to others, but smoking does."
Lowe doubled down, taking aim at the "nanny state" in a follow-up post: "If grown adults want to sit in a room, with the landlord's full permission and backing, to smoke/vape the night away - then it is none of my business to say otherwise." He added: "Of course it's not healthy, but neither is sinking fifteen pints of Guinness in one sitting and we don't ban that."
Economic lifeline for pubs
On the same day, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a 20% business rate cut for pubs, clubs, and live music venues in England from April next year. The reduction is expected to save an average pub around £1,100 per year and will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses, though larger live music venues are excluded.
Burnham said: "This government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets – the beating heart of our communities – and that's what we will do."
