UK government mulling crackdown on smoking, potentially outside pubs

Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that his government is looking at introducing tougher anti-smoking measures, which could potentially see a ban on smoking in outdoor spaces, including at pubs and restaurants. His confirmation came after a report in the Sun newspaper that the government was mulling a ban in pub gardens and outdoor restaurants, as well as outside facilities such as hospitals, universities and sports grounds. He noted that 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. While health professionals broadly welcomed the prospect of a smoking ban outdoors, others argued that it is a further unnecessary intrusion by the state on people’s lifestyle choices.