More beer gardens will be split into smoking and non-smoking areas under changes proposed by the Government.
An update has been made to the Business and Planning Bill making it easier for pubs, restaurants and cafes to operate outdoor areas in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Part of the changes will be making it clear businesses have an obligation to make some portion of outdoor areas smoke-free zones.
The move is designed to encourage non-smokers to use new outdoor areas and support retail businesses without having to sit in the vicinity of tobacco users.
Some pubs already divide beer gardens this way but the changes will make it easier for businesses to reorder outside area to increase space, attract customers and allow people to dine outside.
Planning minister Christopher Pincher MP said: "We are supporting our pubs, cafes and restaurants to safely reopen and securing jobs by making it quicker, easier and cheaper to set up outdoor seating and stalls to serve food and drink, whilst protecting public health against the transmission of covid.
"These changes will allow everyone to enjoy outdoor eating and drinking whether they smoke or not, with appropriate provisions made for non-smokers and smokers."
In a statement, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government stressed the move is not an attempt to ban outdoor smoking, adding that doing so "would lead to significant closures and job losses".
The changes "will help strike the right balance between protecting public health and not imposing additional red tape on businesses at a time when they need as much support as possible".
Instead, the new guidance will "make it clear" that the licence-holder has to make reasonable provision for smoke-free seating.
