UK: Al fresco dining* conditioned on smoke-free terraces?

Aware of the economic difficulties currently facing café and restaurant owners after several weeks of lockdown, the British government is currently legislating to encourage their resumption of activity. Last Monday, it was warned of the need to consider the issue of smoking in this process.

Proposal for the articulation of temporary laws and the problem of smoking

On Monday 13 July, a multi-party coalition asked the British government to make temporary licences authorising "al fresco dining*" conditional on a ban on smoking on terraces – or pavements – of pubs, cafés and restaurants. Inspired by our Italian neighbours, this mode of consumption allows café and restaurant owners to serve mainly outdoors and thus avoid gatherings of people in enclosed spaces.

Backed by health campaigners, the proposed amendment to the Business and Planning Bill by the cross-party coalition aims to reduce the health risks associated with tobacco smoke and the transmission of coronavirus through tobacco smoke or e-cigarette aerosol.

Considering the risks to public health linked to tobacco smoke, this adaptation of places of conviviality loses its reason for being if tobacco consumption remains authorized in the exterior surroundings of these same establishments.

A reconciliation of economic and health interests

The objective pursued, beyond the achievement of a tobacco-free United Kingdom by 2030, is to reconcile the economic interests of those heavily impacted by the pandemic with public health, in a context where spending time with loved ones has never been so valued.

As social venues become more frequented, it is to be hoped that the economic losses of professionals will also soon be offset by these large flows of customers. However, to justify its approach, the coalition points out that this resumption of activity should be enjoyed by everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike, and that it should not be to the detriment of the health of one or the other, particularly of waiters.