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Written question asked by Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 31 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 April 2025 (named day). It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Thursday, 3 April 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Smoking: Hospitality Industry

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure that outdoor hospitality areas remain outside the scope of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Answer

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will put us on track towards a smoke-free UK, was introduced to Parliament on 5 November 2024. On 26 March 2025, MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of advancing the Bill to the next Parliamentary stage and it has now entered the House of Lords.

The Bill allows us to expand current indoor smoking restrictions to outdoor public places and workplaces. However, we have been very clear that in England, we intend to consult on extending smoke-free places to outside schools, children’s playgrounds and hospitals but not outdoor hospitality settings or wider open spaces like beaches. Private outdoor spaces are out of scope of the powers in the Bill.

We do not intend to extend these powers further than this at this time and recognise that now would not be the right time to consult on making outdoor hospitality settings smoke-free in England.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
42740
Session
2024-26
Related items
Smoking: Hospitality Industry
Friday, 12 September 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Smoking Hospitality industry
Legislation
Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-26
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk