The ban at The Hope Inn in Hythe took effect on April 1. Landlord John Garrod expressed that “most people don’t enjoy other people’s smoke.”

Originally, the government had planned to implement a ban on smoking in the gardens of pubs and restaurants in England but announced in November that it would not proceed with that plan. Instead, they are considering restrictions on smoking in children’s playgrounds as well as near schools and hospitals.

Garrod highlighted that the pub’s clientele mainly consists of families dining together. “We often fill our garden, and just one person smoking can affect up to 20 others,” he commented. “This decision is purely for the comfort of our guests.” The Hope Inn’s garden can accommodate over 100 patrons.

Garrod, who has been running the pub for five years, used to designate a corner for smokers. “We aim to please the majority,” he stated. “Fewer people smoke these days, and I believe most would prefer a smoke-free garden.”

Customers at The Hope Inn previously had to relocate their tables due to nearby smokers. One patron, Caron Fortune, mentioned, “There are times when we have a lovely table, and someone sits next to us smoking, forcing us to move.” Her friend added, “It’s unfortunate because there are so many restrictions on people these days.”

Despite the smoking ban, vaping will still be permitted at the pub. Simon Clark from the pro-smoking group Forest commented, “There’s a new generation that hasn’t encountered tobacco smoke in indoor public spaces, and some may be overly sensitive to even a slight whiff of smoke. However, in an open-air environment, smoke disperses quickly, and most people don’t mind it.”