People using pubs, restaurants and cafes will soon have greater freedom to choose non-smoking outdoor areas following Government plans announced last week.

More and more people are eating outside as lockdown eases, & the Government wants non-smokers to be better protected. Under the Business and Planning Bill, the Government had already set out a range of measures to help vital hospitality businesses safely reopen and get staff back to work by making it quicker, easier and cheaper to operate outside.

The Government will not ban outdoor smoking. Since the existing ban was introduced, businesses have invested heavily in their outdoor areas and banning outdoor smoking would lead to significant closures and job losses. However, the latest amendment will ensure that customers are given more choice by ensuring premises offer separate seating for smokers and non-smokers outside. Businesses have been advised to aim for a minimum 2 metre distance between non-smoking and smoking areas, wherever possible.

Planning Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP 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.”

The changes in the amendment will help strike the right balance between protecting public health and not imposing additional red tape on businesses at a time when they need as much support as possible.
Businesses can already make their own non-smoking policies for outside space without the need for regulations. This guidance will reinforce this point, making it clear that the licence-holder has to make reasonable provision for smoke-free seating.

Today’s announcement also builds on measures to help businesses get back on their feet, including:
1. Simpler licensing process for outdoor seating for pubs, restaurants and cafes
2. Councils encouraged to reduce red-tape and create more outdoor markets
3. Part of comprehensive plan to revive high streets, support the hospitality industry and help get people back to work
4. Helping councils and businesses transition from crisis response and lockdown, towards economic recovery