UKH: 'A version of the outdoor smoking ban will happen'

Speaking to The MA​ at a press conference held on Friday 20 September, UKHospitality (UKH) deputy chief executive Allen Simpson said “a version of the smoking ban will happen”.

He continued: “It's very difficult to argue against a smoking ban in some places if it is your party policy that you're going to have a smoking ban everywhere.

“[The Government’s] view politically is also that if you go back to 2004/2005, there was a lot of opposition at the time to the smoking ban inside pubs and now it's a reasonably popular policy.”

Leaked Government plans, as reported in The Sun​ last month​, revealed smoking is set to be banned in outside areas including pub gardens. It was not clear if the plans would include electronic cigarettes.

Practical questions 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer then confirmed to the BBC​​ ​the Government was considering tougher rules on outdoor smoking.

However, Simpson explained there were “quite a few practical questions” around the proposals, including what will happen in residential and staff areas.

“Equally there is a lot of anger from parts of the sector and from people who have invested a lot of capital in building spaces to be compliant with the law.

“A hotel in central London we were talking to recently finished building a cigar terrace and are wondering what they're going do with it other than store potted plants”, he said.

The deputy chief executive added the trade body has had conversations with officials and ministers on the subject, including looking at ways of achieving the policy’s goals in a “sustainable” way.

"A smoking ban looks very likely, the question is what that policy looks like, whether it's absolute or if they include the right level of exceptions.”

Simpson continued: “If it's possible to have an outdoor smoking area which is a distance away from the rest of the beer garden, would that be acceptable? Is it possible to have a resident smoking area? Is it possible to have a smoking area physically separated in a way that is effective? Can we do these things?

“But I think a smoking ban​ looks very likely, the question is what that policy looks like, whether it's absolute or if they include the right level of exceptions.”

A recent survey​ conducted by The MA​ earlier this month showed 85% of the 559 respondents would not support an outdoor smoking ban if it came into force, while 15% said they would support it.

UKH public affairs director David Sheen stated there was “a lot of angst among operators” around a range of issues with the policy, including staff training.

He said: “How do [operators] manage compliance issues with neighbours who get annoyed because, instead of smoking in a pub garden, customers have stood outside its neighbours, [which could cause] confrontations between staff and customers?”

Worrying picture 

Licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen also recently warned​ if the ban became law, there could be ‘significant implications’ for the sector, including potentially having to employ additional staff.

Simpson added the trade body had also seen concerns from late-night firms around guests leaving venues early.

He said: “The worrying picture in their minds is if six people go clubbing, and one of them smokes, the moment when that one person goes to have a cigarette, the whole group goes to the smoking area [together].

“They have a bit of a chat then go back in and dance but if they had to leave the club and go somewhere else, each time they leave, that’s a moment where the whole group might go home.

“Leaving after having three drinks rather than four, [for example], would be the same as a quarter of guests not coming. The behavioural moments to go home where a member of the group smokes is certainly worrying the night-time economy.”