The Local Government Association (LGA), representing councils in England, is calling for smoking to be banned outside pubs, cafes, and bars. The proposal aims to make outdoor dining areas more family-friendly and support high street recovery after lockdown.
The LGA is urging peers to support an amendment to the business and planning bill, which would require all pavement licences issued by councils to include a condition that the area is smoke-free. The LGA argues that while people could previously avoid second-hand smoke by staying indoors, the pandemic has restricted indoor space.
Paulette Hamilton, vice-chair of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said pavement licensing should not increase smoking in public places. The LGA also claims the measure would contribute to the government's goal of making England smoke-free by 2030.
However, the government opposes the proposal, stating that emergency legislation should not be used as a backdoor to ban outdoor smoking. A Ministry of Housing spokesperson said such a ban would lead to significant closures and job losses, urging businesses to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers.
Smokers' group Forest and restaurateur Antony Worrall Thompson also criticised the plan, arguing there is no evidence that outdoor smoking poses a significant health risk and that it would harm the hospitality industry.
