Pubs, cafes and restaurants in England with outdoor seating will be required to offer separate non-smoking areas under new Government legislation.
Ministers have tabled an amendment to the Business and Planning Bill requiring businesses to make “reasonable provision” for non-smoking seating.
While smoking is banned inside pubs and restaurants, there are currently no controls on outdoor eating and drinking.
Planning Minister Chris Pincher 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.”
The Business and Planning Bill is intended to help the hospitality sector as it reopens following lockdown make it easier for business to set up temporary outdoor areas for eating and drinking.
