The Campaign has welcomed the news Labour is dropping plans to ban smoking in pub beer gardens as part of its Tobacco and Vapes Bill legislation.

CAMRA national chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “Consumers and licensees will welcome today’s announcement that ends speculation about the knock-on impact that a potential outdoor smoking ban could have had on trade and the viability of our locals, which are a key part of this country’s social fabric and deserve to be protected and promoted. 

“It is right that government encourages the wellbeing benefits of enjoying a pint in the moderated setting of the community local and we feared that a ban on smoking in outdoor spaces would have encouraged more people to stop visiting pubs and to drink at home instead. 

“We saw during the pandemic lockdowns the impact this had on health compared to moderate drinking in the pub.”