Manchester pubs and clubs slam 'nonsensical' smoking ban plan

A ban on smoking in beer gardens and other outdoor areas would be 'nonsensical', pubs and clubs in Manchester have said.

The Manchester Pub and Club Network, which represents more than 600 licensed businesses in the city centre, say they are 'deeply concerned' about the mooted plans. They described such a ban as 'unenforceable', warning that it could cause 'stress and conflict'.

It comes after the leaked government papers suggested that a new smoking ban could be imposed on outdoor areas. The new rule could affect pub gardens, outdoor restaurant seating areas and open-air spaces at nightclubs, according the newspaper.

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The Prime Minister confirmed last week that the government is looking at introducing tougher rules on smoking. It comes as Keir Starmer's government presses ahead with the Conservatives' plan to stop anyone born in or after 2009 from ever buying cigarettes.

Responding to reports of a new outdoor smoking ban, former Parklife and Warehouse Project boss Sacha Lord, who is the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, said he would support measures focused on areas where children are present. However, he said that if a 'blanket ban' is imposed, 'we will be asking questions', before urging the government to publish the full details 'quickly'.

Mr Lord has now joined other representatives from Manchester's night-time economy in urging the government to 'think again'. In a letter to Manchester Central MP and government minister Lucy Powell, they raised their concerns about the rumours of a new ban.

Referring to a little-known council rule in Manchester, which prohibits smoking in outdoor seating on pavements, they said