Non-smokers must be given outdoor spaces outside pubs as new rules introduced

James Cheng-Morris
·Freelance news writer, Yahoo UK
Updated ·2-min read
Members of the public are seen at a bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter, England, Saturday July 4, 2020. England is embarking on perhaps its biggest lockdown easing yet as pubs and restaurants have the right to reopen for the first time in more than three months. In addition to the reopening of much of the hospitality sector, couples can tie the knot once again, while many of those who have had enough of their lockdown hair can finally get a trim. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Pubs, cafes and restaurants will have to offer smokers and non-smokers separate outdoor seating areas under new government plans. (AP/Jon Super)

Pubs, cafes and restaurants will have to offer smokers and non-smokers separate outdoor seating areas under new government plans.

Premises should create a minimum two-metre distance between smoking and non-smoking areas, the proposals state.

It comes as more people drink and eat outside due to coronavirus social distancing rules.

On Saturday, councils called for the government to completely ban smoking outside premises to make them more family-friendly.

In an overnight announcement, however, the government rejected this.

It said an outdoor ban would lead to “significant closures and job losses” because pubs “have invested heavily” in outdoor smoking areas since the indoor smoking ban came into force in 2007.

The new plans will instead “ensure that customers are given more choice”, with the availability of separate seating areas.

People enjoy their drinks at The Black Lion pub in London, Saturday, July 4, 2020. England is embarking on perhaps its biggest lockdown easing yet as pubs and restaurants have the right to reopen for the first time in more than three months. In addition to the reopening of much of the hospitality sector, couples can tie the knot once again, while many of those who have had enough of their lockdown hair can finally get a trim. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Pubs will have to offer specific outdoor areas for smokers and non-smokers. (AP/Frank Augstein)

Planning minister Christopher Pincher said: “We are supporting our pubs, cafes and restaurants to safely reopen, and securing jobs by making it quicker, easier and cheaper to set up outdoor seating and stalls to serve food and drink – whilst protecting public health against the transmission of COVID.

“These changes will allow everyone to enjoy outdoor eating and drinking whether they smoke or not, with appropriate provisions made for non-smokers and smokers.”

As well as the two-metre distance between smoking and non-smoking areas, premises will have to display clear “no smoking” signage and ensure no ashtrays are provided in no-smoking zones.

The plans will be tabled in Parliament as an amendment to the business and planning bill, which is currently at its report stage in the House of Lords.

This is the ninth of 11 stages before a bill can gain royal assent and become law.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants were allowed to reopen in England on 4 July after the government eased its coronavirus lockdown.

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