Smokers face ban in pub gardens and on beaches

SMOKING in beer gardens could be banned under new proposals to help people stub out the habit.

- Sarah O’Grady

Lighting up could also be prohibited outside cafes and restaurants, and in all outdoor areas where children are present, such as public beaches.

Tobacco firms could also be forced to pay a “polluter” tax, according to a Government-commissioned review.

Another radical idea is for the minimum age at which people can buy a tobacco product to go up by a year annually, until the point where no one can buy them.

Implementing a ban on smoking in beer gardens was not ruled out yesterday by Downing Street officials.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “I’m not going to jump ahead and start opining on different recommendations.