Smoking in beer gardens could be outlawed as part of new radical proposals.
The proposal is part of a Government-commissioned review led by Dr Javed Khan that calls on the age at which people can legally buy tobacco in England to rise from 18 by one year annually.
It argued that people are still being exposed to second-hand smoke in some social settings, before calling for an increase smoke-free spaces in hospitality, hospital grounds and outside public spaces.
Smoking in beer gardens could soon be outlawed
Jonathan Brady
The review called on an increase of smoke-free spaces
Chris Radburn
It added: "Worse still, some outlets have devised 'smoking shelters' so extreme, that while technically within the law, they offer staff and customers next to no protection from the toxic smoke.
"Indeed, for many shisha bars, this is a fundamental part of their business model.
"Increasing smoke-free spaces in hospitality, hospital grounds and outside public spaces, while protecting non-smokers in social housing, is the natural next step.
"I want local authorities in England to go further and ban smoking in all outdoor areas where children are present.
"For example, public beaches and outside civic office grounds (central and local government buildings) should all be completely smoke-free places."
The review also recommends the promotion of vapes as an effective “swap to stop” tool to help people quit smoking, as well as improving prevention in the NHS so smokers are offered advice and support to quit at every interaction they have with health services.
Dr Khan said: “Without immediate and sustained action, England will miss the smoke-free target by many years and most likely decades.
“A smoke-free society should be a social norm – but to achieve this, we must do more to stop people taking up smoking, help those who already smoke and support those who are disproportionately impacted by smoking.
"My holistic set of recommendations for government will deliver this, whilst saving lives, saving money and addressing the health disparities associated with smoking.”
