Wes Streeting calls for 'national debate' on banning smoking outside pubs as Health Secretary vows to 'deal with the scourge of second-hand smoke' - but PM rules out earlier closing times for drinkers

Wes Streeting today called for a national debate on banning smoking outside pubs as he vowed to tackle the scourge of second-hand smoke.

The Health Secretary said the Government is looking at a possible ban as part of efforts to try and phase out smoking in Britain.

The Prime Minister last month confirmed he was considering a ban on outdoor smoking in areas such as beer gardens or outside sports stadiums.

It sparked a huge backlash with concerns a ban could cause massive harm to the pub industry and other hospitality businesses.

But - while the Government is pushing on with a possible outdoor smoking ban - Sir Keir Starmer has shied away from another battle with pub bosses.

Despite a Labour health minister having suggested the Government could look at changing pub opening hours, the PM ruled out earlier closing times for drinkers.

Hea;lth Secretary Wes Streeting has called for a national debate on banning smoking outside pubs as he vowed to tackle the scourge of second-hand smoke

The Prime Minister last month confirmed he was considering a ban on outdoor smoking in areas such as beer gardens or outside sports stadiums

But - while the Government is pushing on with a possible outdoor smoking ban - Sir Keir Starmer has shied away from another battle with pub bosses over closing times

It was revealed last month how the indoor smoking ban, introduced under the previous Labour government in 2007, could be extended to cover other locations.

This could include small parks, outdoor restaurants or even shisha bars, as well as areas outside hospitals and football grounds.

Labour has already pledged to effectively ban smoking for those born after 2008 through the introduction of a phased-in a ban on the sale of cigarettes, as first proposed by former PM Rishi Sunak.

And Mr Streeting this morning confirmed the Governments planned legislation could be widened to include other anti-smoking measures.

We definitely want to see smoking phased out in our country, we committed to that in our manifesto, he told Sky News at Labours conference in Liverpool.

We want to make sure this generation of children are the healthiest generation that ever lived and therefore they will never be able to legally buy cigarettes.

We are looking at a range of other measures to also help people who are currently smoking to quit and also to deal with the scourge of second-hand smoke and passive smoking, which is also harmful.

Well be setting out our proposals on that shortly.

Asked if he will ban smoking outside pubs, he said: Look, thats one of the measures that Im considering, and Im up for a national debate on this issue.

We have got to do two things – reform the health service, but also reform public health, because we might be living longer, but were becoming sicker sooner and there is a heavy price being paid for that in our economy, our public finances and in our own health.

During Labours conference this week, public health minister Andrew Gwynne suggested tightening up on some of the hours of operation at pubs and bars should be considered as part of efforts to tackle alcohol abuse. 

But Sir Keir has ruled out such a move, telling LBC radio: This is not Government policy. We are not going to do it.

Closing time is not going to change. I can give you that guarantee.