Oxfordshire pubs at risk over smoking ban plan, punters fear

Almost two-thirds of Britons would back a smoking ban in pub gardens, a new survey commissioned by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) suggests.

The YouGov poll surveyed more than 13,000 adults and found growing support for extending smoke-free laws to a range of public spaces.

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Many pubs across Oxfordshire have smoking areas outside.

The findings come after the Government announced new laws last month, preventing anyone aged 17 or under from ever legally purchasing cigarettes.

In 2024 the government considered a ban on smoking in pub gardens and other outdoor venues is being considered because of the “huge burden” smoking puts on the NHS and the taxpayer, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed.

A person smokes a cigarette outside a pub (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

But some Oxfordshire pubgoers have considered the impact it could have on the hospitality industry.

Punter Keith Deley said: “If this does happen it will be the end of all the pubs in England.”

Meanwhile, Mandy Talbot said: “Totally disagree with this.”

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Some residents questioned how the Government will financially deal with fewer smokers with around 80 per cent of the retail price going towards tobacco excise duties.

One comment from Steven Pitcher said: “And then how is the Government going to replace the ridiculous revenues they make from tobacco taxes?”

Another comment from Vic Parkin said: “I bet those that wanted smoking banned are sorry now the Government was making billions of pounds every year off the backs of smokers in taxes on tobacco.

“So now they have to find another way of harming the nation in gas, electric, water and food prices to fill the lost taxes.”

Meanwhile, some locals supported the ban.

Karen Jones said: “Yes 100 per cent. Cigarette smoke reeks and goes so much further than the person choosing to smoke. That’s why it’s wrong in public places.”

Another advocate Luke Wood said: “I’d ban it full stop.”

In 2024 the Government considered a ban on smoking in pub gardens and other outdoor venues because of the “huge burden” smoking puts on the NHS and the taxpayer.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) estimates that treating smoking-related illness (including cancer) costs the NHS approximately £1.9bn every year in England alone.

Cancer Research UK estimates that tobacco is responsibly for 160 cancer cases a day in the UK, with up to 40 per cent of cancer cases preventable.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ensure that people born on or after January 1, 2009 will never legally be sold tobacco in their lifetime across the UK, paving the way for the first ever smoke free generation.