Metro – Stub out this cig ban plan
Pubs have hit out at the government over plans to extend the smoking ban to outdoor spaces, the Metro reports.
The paper says pubs have labelled the government’s idea to curb outdoor smoking as ‘bonkers’. It reports on the reaction from the hospitality industry, claiming some are angry with the plans.
An interview with Tom Bott, the founder of London-based beer brewer Signature Brew, is featured. He says the plans will ‘further destabilise’ the industry, which is already under pressure.
Pubs criticise outdoor smoking ban as ‘bonkers’ and ‘nuts’
Pub bosses have hit out at Keir Starmer’s plan to look at extending the indoor smoking ban to outdoor spaces, saying it could ‘destabilise’ an industry already under ‘immense’ pressure.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed Labour is looking to extend the indoor smoking ban brought in under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown to try and ease the pressure on the NHS.
If the ban was brought in, it could mean that people could be stopped from smoking in places such as pub gardens, include restaurant and cafe terraces, children’s parks, and shisha bars.
Smokers would also be barred from lighting up outside nightclubs, sports stadiums and universities – but it would still be allowed in open spaces like parks and streets and there would be no restriction on smoking in private homes.
But industry bosses criticised the idea, saying they’re fearful for the industry’s future if it was made law.
Tom Bott, founder of London-based beer brewer Signature Brew, said: ‘Independent breweries and pubs, which rely heavily on creating welcoming outdoor spaces for all customers, are facing unprecedented challenges.
Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
If you are someone who reads every perspective of a story, here is a news summary of all of today’s front pages from today’s newspapers; summarised in a 2-minute read
Editorial 30 August 2024.
Friday’s leads report on the latest from Downing Street with many papers assessing what the government’s plans to ban outdoor smoking in pubs will do to trading. Pub landlords have not welcomed the news and the traditional right-leaning publications dramatically claim it’s ‘the end of British pubs!’
The plans have put the Labour government on a collision course with the hospitality industry – which is already struggling. But the news has been welcomed by health experts.
Working hours, the NHS and health studies also make Friday’s front pages along with a dose of showbiz and royal gossip.
The back pages report on the latest Premier League gossip, the England National football team and Joe Root’s 33rd Test Century for England.