Essex publican Adam Brooks has lashed out at plans to impose an outdoor smoking ban for pub gardens and sports venues.
Speaking on GB News, Brooks joined Martin Daubney to discuss Keir Starmer’s pledge to “take action” on the matter.
“I think one in eight people in the UK still smoke. It is not something I don’t like and I have never been a smoker, but it’s people’s freedom to choose”, he said.
“This Government seems intent on taking away people’s freedoms. Keir Starmer seems intent on becoming the most unpopular person in the country.
Adam Brooks erupted over Labour's 'authoritarian creep'
GB NEWS / PA
“Outside in a beer garden, who am I to say someone can’t smoke out there? It will put a lot of pubs under pressure who are already struggling after Covid.
“It’s a disgraceful move. I am still paying some payment plans going back to Covid and the energy crisis - it’s a tough industry.
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“We will just be driving these people home where they will drink from supermarkets and smoke like chimneys.”
Etiquette expert Diana Mather waded in on the discussion to offer her two cents, saying that she values civil liberties like the freedom to smoke, but perhaps stricter rules could be imposed as opposed to an outright ban.
“I do agree, the hospitality industry has gone through a huge amount. I think the rules could be stricter”, she said.
“I have seen people in wheelchairs with oxygen attached to them going out to smoke, that doesn’t do much to help.
The potential ban was discussed on GB News
GB NEWS
“Sometimes you go past beer gardens and you see cigarette ends that are untidy and smell. I think you should be able to smoke where you want, but you must leave the area tidy and unhygienic.”
Brooks interjected: “The metropolitan elite are showing their true colours again. Telling us how to live.
“The pub industry is suffering 80 closures a month. I lost one myself. I am struggling on with my other one.
“Everything is stacked against us. The Great British pub is our heritage, it’s our front room. This is authoritarian creep.
Nigel Farage is among those to have criticised the Labour leader's plans
GB News / PA“This Labour government - it just astounds me. It’s like a communist government.”
Speaking on the potential ban, Starmer told reporters in Paris: “My starting point on this is to remind everyone that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. That’s a preventable death.
“It’s a huge burden on the NHS, and, of course, it’s a burden on the taxpayer. So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space.
“More details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths, and we’ve got to take the action to reduce the burden on the NHS and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.”
He added: “I think it’s important to get the balance right, but everybody watching this who uses the NHS will know that it’s on its knees.
“We have to relieve the burden, and that’s why I spoke before the election about moving to a preventative model when it comes to health.”