Colchester pubs on Government bid to tackle outdoor smoking

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed ministers are looking at a potential outdoor smoking ban, which could include pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, nightclubs, outside sports venues, hospitals, and some small parks.

The Labour leader believes the move will help cut the number of people smoking and “lower the burden” on the NHS.

However, pub bosses have said they are opposed to the proposed ban and fear the impact could be disastrous.

Richard Taylor, the owner of the Victoria Inn in North Station Road, believes the ban would hinder the industry.

Pub - The Victoria Inn (Image: Newsquest)

In June, the pub put on its first-ever cider and cheese festival, much to the delight of both new and returning customers. 

Mr Taylor said: “It's another nail in the coffin for the hospitality industry.

"Approximately 1,400 pubs closed in 2007 after the indoor smoking ban was enforced but at least people could still use smoking areas.

Boss - Victoria Inn owner Richard Taylor (Image: Newsquest)

“These smoking areas cost pubs money to install but with this new proposal, people will just go and stand out in the street to smoke.

“The government are claiming it's to ease pressure on the NHS if that's the case, ban smoking completely.

“Who will enforce the ban? will all public places be included? This is a minefield and until a full explanation is published there is nothing I can do.”

Dan Garbuja, the owner of the Britannia & Gurkha Restaurant & Bar, in Meyrick Crescent, doesn't agree with the ban. 

Site - The Britannia & Gurkha Restaurant & Bar (Image: Google Maps)

His establishment serves authentic Nepalese cuisine and a range of drinks.

It has a designated space for smokers to use outside, so he doesn’t agree with a ban.

Mr Garbuja said: “I think people should be allowed to smoke outside in beer gardens or a dedicated space but if there is a ban we can’t stop it.”

James 'jimbo' Green, landlord of The Artilleryman, in Artillery Street, was not surprised by the news. 

He said: “To be fair, we had a feeling it was going to happen anyway.

“I don’t see a problem with smoking.

Cheers - the Artilleryman (Image: Newsquest)

“The smoking area is away from other people who don’t smoke, I really can’t see the problem.

“If they are smoking outside a pub then yeah but if it is under control, I can’t see why they would want to do this.

“People come in this pub and know the smoking area, people who don’t smoke don’t go near.

“I think a ban would cause a problem.

“I think if the government decide for it, they will do it.

“For small businesses, we struggle big time, from Covid till now, we are trying to get through it.”

Ian Colbeck, an Emeritus professor at the University of Essex, believes the ban is a way of “trying to denormalise smoking”.

Expert - Professor Ian Colbeck (Image: University of Essex)

He started at the university in 1983 and his field is environmental science and has an expertise on the topic of air pollution.

He said: “On a personal basis, I think the ban will go ahead but I can see a large number of problems about policing it.

“Smoking has been banned inside pubs since 2007, any exposure to any tobacco smoke isn’t good for you.

“After the indoor ban, there has been a whole load of studies that have shown a reduction in heart disease, lung cancer, due to reduced exposure to indoor tobacco smoke.

“The earlier ban looked the person’s health and everyone else’s in the pub, it was sold as improving indoor air quality, this ban is sold predominantly as a health benefit.

“In a way, it is to denormalise smoking so everyone thinks it is not as socially acceptable, and that people find it harder to find places to smoke.