Smoking ‘to be BANNED in pub gardens and outside football stadiums’ as critics slam ‘nannyism’

Lighting up will be stopped out at outdoor restaurants, open-air spaces at clubs, and pavements next to both. It would also apply outside universities, hospitals, sports grounds, kids’ play areas and small parks.

However, the restrictions are not expected to cover private homes, nor large open ­spaces such as parks or streets.

The shock move is expected to spark fury towards Starmer’s party – with criticism of “nanny state” politics and memos from the Business Department already warning the hospitality sector could be hit.

A recent impact assessment has even found that banning smoking outdoors could cost jobs and force even more pubs to close, The Sun reports.

It comes after top doctors have called for legislation aimed at tackling youth vaping to include a total ban on disposable e-cigarettes and all flavours apart from tobacco.

The British Medical Association (BMA) urged ministers to “take bold and brave actions” to protect the health of children and young people amid a “vaping epidemic”.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill earlier this year, which included plans to ban disposable e-cigarettes and introduce restrictions on flavours and packaging.

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Sir Keir Starmer revived the Bill following Labour’s victory at the July 4 vote.

The move to ban smoking outside has reportedly sparked Cabinet tensions, with memos showing the Business Department fearing the financial cost to hospitality.

Many landlords have been forced to close since the pandemic due to rising costs and taxes. A public consultation will be launched over the outdoor smoking ban, but is unlikely to change the Government’s position.

A 2020 government press release made explicitly clear that banning outdoor smoking in bars would be a hammer blow.

It said: “Since the existing ban was introduced, businesses have invested heavily in outdoor areas. Banning outdoor smoking would lead to significant closures and job losses.”

A ­target exists to make England “smoke-free” by 2030, meaning only five per cent of the population would smoke by then.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks.”

Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS and costs taxpayers billions.