Restore Britain wants to bring back pub smoking rooms to save dying boozers, as PM Andy Burnham also pledges a 20 per cent business rate cut for local venues
A right-wing party chief has sparked a fierce debate over the future of British boozers after demanding a blast-from-the-past return for indoor smoking rooms. Restore Britain boss Rupert Lowe has called for pub landlords and venue owners to be given the freedom to let punters light up inside once again, insisting the state needs to butt out of people’s personal choices.
Taking to X to reveal the radical policy proposal, Mr Lowe wrote: “A Restore Britain Government will allow pub landlords and other venue owners to install a smoking room.
“If adults want to smoke inside a contained room, and the landlord is happy to provide that, then it’s none of our business. Crack on.”
The bold demand comes nearly two decades after the landmark July 2007 indoor smoking ban came into force across England.
The original health law was pushed through parliament to protect hospitality workers and non-smokers from the dangers of second-hand smoke, banishing puffing punters to beer gardens and pavement curbs.
Unsurprisingly, the idea of rolling back the 2007 ban has sparked fierce criticism online. One user on X wrote that “introducing a ‘smoking room’ will inevitably mean overspill.”
A second person said: “I wouldn’t visit a pub that supports smoking.” Meanwhile, another warned that “drinking alcohol does not cause inconvenience to others, but smoking does.”
However, the Restore Britain leader doubled down on his pledge, taking aim at the “nanny state” in a follow-up post.
Mr Lowe wrote: “Plenty of predictable howling about Restore Britain’s policy of allowing landlords to introduce contained smoking rooms in their pubs.
“If grown adults want to sit in a room, with the landlord’s full permission and backing, to smoke/vape the night away – then it is none of my business to say otherwise.
“If it’s clearly labelled, away from other customers and well ventilated? Go for it. I detest smoking. I would not use these rooms, but should that stop others? No.”
He added: “Of course it’s not healthy, but neither is sinking fifteen pints of Guinness in one sitting and we don’t ban that.
“It will give neglected pubs a huge economic boost, and keep hundreds of them operational. Restore Britain firmly believes in personal responsibility and that is reflected in our policy offering.”
The smoking row erupted on the same day that Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled a financial lifeline aimed at rescuing the nation’s struggling high streets.
The Labour leader has revealed plans to slash business rates by 20 per cent for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year.
The reduction is anticipated to save an average pub around £1,100 per year and will be applicable to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses. However, larger live music venues will not be eligible for the discount.
Announcing the measures, Burnham said: “This government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities.
“I said I would protect pubs and local high streets – the beating heart of our communities – and that’s what we will do. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”