UK Considers Extensive Outdoor Smoking Ban

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is considering an extensive ban on outdoor smoking to reduce smoking-related deaths and alleviate the burden on the NHS. This proposal would extend to pub gardens, sports venues, hospitals, and other public spaces, with potential fines for non-compliance. While health experts and polls show significant public support for the measure, the hospitality industry warns it could severely impact struggling businesses, potentially leading to pub closures. The ban aligns with a broader Tobacco and Vapes Bill aimed at phasing out smoking for future generations. Critics, including political opponents, view the ban as an overreach of government control that could harm individual freedoms and economic recovery post-Covid.