The government is widely reported to have reversed plans for an outdoor smoking ban, after pressure from the hospitality sector.
The government would not confirm the speculation, with the Department of Health and Social Care commenting: “We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking.
“We’re considering a range of measures to put us on track to a smoke-free UK.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said at the time the ban was proposed: “A ban on smoking in outdoor spaces comes with the prospect of serious economic harm to hospitality venues. You only have to look back to the significant pub closures we saw after the indoor smoking ban to see the potential impact it could have.
“This ban would not only affect pubs and nightclubs, but hotels, cafes and restaurants that have all invested significantly in good faith in outdoor spaces, and continue to face financial challenges.”
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