UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested tightening outdoor smoking regulations to reduce preventable tobacco-related deaths and alleviate pressure on the NHS. The details of the UK’s potential changes remain unclear. In Australia, however, rules vary by state, but designated smoking zones in pub gardens and parks protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke. At beaches and playgrounds, smoking is entirely prohibited.
Jack Berman takes a slow drag from his cigarette and exhales on the covered terrace of a historic 150-year-old pub in a beachside suburb of Sydney. Around him, fellow pub-goers are enjoying the winter sun, holding a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the pub, diners are peacefully enjoying their meals in a smoke-free zone, far removed from any clouds of smoke.
This scene highlights how smoking regulations are enforced in Australian pubs, where outdoor smoking bans have been in effect for two decades. With the UK government now considering similar restrictions, could Australia’s approach serve as a model? And how have pubs there adapted?
Berman, who started smoking at 15, has seen Australia’s smoking reforms evolve. “Back then, you could smoke everywhere—on trains, in cinemas,” he recalls. Yet despite the changes in pub culture, he doesn’t feel left behind, as evidenced by his midday pint with a friend. A few steps away, a group of young men, self-proclaimed “social smokers,” admit they only smoke when drinking. James Beltrame, 28, doesn’t mind moving to a smoking section when the craving hits, enjoying the chance encounters that often occur there. On the other hand, Kenny James, 26, finds the experience isolating and unappealing, often in obscure corners of venues.
While these younger men agree they prefer smoke-free public spaces, not everyone shares their view. Rob, a 33-year-old security guard, reminisces about a time when smoking was widespread in Australia, bemoaning the current restrictions that leave smokers marginalized. He argues that many pubs have lost customers because smokers are confined to designated areas like gambling rooms, a controversial but common feature in Sydney’s pubs.
For public health experts, this decline in public smoking is a success. Daily smoking rates in Australia have dropped dramatically, from 24% in 1991 to just 8.3% today. This decline is attributed to policies such as tobacco advertising bans, plain cigarette packaging, and hefty taxes. Smoke-free environments, however, have played a key role in reducing secondhand smoke exposure. According to Cancer Research UK, passive smoking is unsafe in all forms, while the NHS describes it as a “lethal cocktail” of harmful chemicals.
Outdoor smoking bans in Australia, particularly in pub gardens and outdoor dining areas, aim to protect non-smokers, including staff. While beaches and parks aren’t closed environments, the bans there focus on reducing litter and promoting positive behavior. Sydney, with its population of over five million, enforces smoking bans in many public spaces, including playgrounds and transport stops.
Although some in the UK hospitality sector fear outdoor smoking restrictions could hurt businesses, Australia’s experience suggests otherwise. While there was initial pushback from some pubs and clubs, the impact evened out over time. Venues that initially reported revenue drops of 10%-15% later found that smoke-free environments attracted more families and balanced out the loss.
Publican Mick Bain, who runs two pubs in Sydney, says that despite an initial dip in revenue from smokers, the influx of families for meals more than made up for it. The long-term impact has been positive, with higher spending on food compared to drinks alone. Enforcement, he says, is straightforward, and designated smoking areas still allow for the social aspect that some smokers enjoy.
While some still argue that smoking restrictions isolate smokers, research suggests that the long-term benefits outweigh short-term losses. Tobacco control experts and organizations like the World Health Organization have debunked the myth that smoking bans hurt business, instead highlighting the positive impact on the hospitality sector. As smoking continues to decline in Australia, the cultural shift towards smoke-free spaces has become the norm, a trend that could soon take root in the UK.
