UK government mulling crackdown on outdoor smoking

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that his government is looking at introducing tougher anti-smoking measures, which could potentially see a ban on smoking in outdoor spaces, including at pubs and restaurants, Report informs referring to AP.

His confirmation came after the Sun newspaper said a ban on smoking outside in pub gardens, outdoors in pubs and restaurants, and outside facilities such as hospitals, universities and sports grounds, was under discussion.

The prospect was widely criticized by hospitality bosses, who said it would be an overreach of the state and another potential blow to their finances.

Smoking in the UK has been banned inside pubs, restaurants and most workplaces since 2007. Still, smoking-related illnesses remain a drain on the National Health Service, costing it over 2.5 billion pounds a year in England alone, according to figures from the NHS.