Leaked government plan to ban beer garden smoking faces strong criticism from Newark pub goers

A leaked government plan to ban smoking in beer gardens has received strong criticism from pub goers.

The national press reported that ministers are considering extending the ban on smoking indoors to include many outdoor areas such as pub beer gardens.

The potential measures, which would need to go through a public consultation, would also apply to areas outside other public spaces such as hospitals, football stadiums, and play parks.

Following the news, The Advertiser head into Newark town centre to find out what pub goers thought about the potential changes.

At the Loose Cannon, on Stodman Street was Steve McHill, who said: "That would be insane.

"What you're actually going to do is destroy the local economy and drive people away that come to pubs, because people will just go to places where they can smoke.

"His majesty's government makes a huge amount of money from the tobacco industry and they're not just about to cut their own throats.

"They'd just be moving the problem elsewhere and creating new problems that they didn't have to start with that they'll just have to solve further down the like.

"This is just another example of the government going back on their promises."

At The Queen's Head in the Market Place was Richard Sutherns, who said: "I think it would be terrible.

"I totally agree with banning smoking inside, it's made being at pubs a lot more pleasurable but to ban smoking outside as well is too totalitarian."

John Berriman, said: "I agree with being responsible and not affecting anybody elses day out, but I think pubs and venues should make provision for people that smoke."

At Old Kings Arms on Kirkgate Chris Davis, said: "I think for a lot of people it's a big part of socialising and if they can't, they won't come out and that hurts the businesses.

"People who smoke will smoke no matter where it is, if you ban it outside, they'll just stay at home and do it inside their own house instead."

Chloe Atkinson, said: "I don't think it's fair on a lot of pubs and small businesses which rely on people who come out to socialise, drink and smoke.

"Smoking as unhealthy as it is, is a social activity and it will massively impact our economy trying to ban it."

David Lloyd was at The Prince Rupert, he said: "I think it should be down to the pubs, and I do feel for people that don't like it.

"But going around Newark I imagine it would host most people's businesses if we said no smoking."