A pub owner has been accused ‘nannying’ punters after his boozer became the first in the country to ban smoking in its garden. 

Just months after the government ditched plans to ban smoking in beer gardens across the country, John Garrod, 72, has taken it upon himself to implement the ‘woke’ idea.

Punters at Mr Garrod’s The Hope Inn pub in Hythe, Kent, will no longer be able to light up outside in a move which the owner believes could be a trend-setter.

‘I think we may be the first to do it, but we won’t be the last,’ Mr Garrod said. 

‘Smokers don’t smell smoke so they don’t appreciate the discomfort other people are going through. 

‘The overwhelming majority are non-smokers and would rather not have smoke drifting over them while they’re eating. 

‘I think we’ll probably gain business over it.’

But the policy has not been a popular one with boozer’s regulars, who responded have responded to the pub’s announcement by accusing the owner of ‘nannying’ them. 

The Hope Inn in Kent has become the first boozer in the country to ban its punters from lighting up in outside. Owner John Garrod (pictured right) hopes other pubs will follow suit

Punters have branded the move as ‘woke’ and accused the owner of attempting to ‘nanny’ them

Mr Garrod’s decision to ban punters from lighting up in the garden comes just months after the government ditched plans to ban smoking in all gardens across the country

‘That’s a shame John,’ wrote customer Sarah Hopper.

‘You know I love your pub, but I think that’s crazy. Why shouldn’t I enjoy a ciggy in the garden with my £6 pint?

‘It’s not harming anyone else. I work hard not to be nannied! Ridiculous!’

Other customers accused the owner of ‘going woke.’

‘Go woke, go broke,’ commented Andy Heath. 

Even non-smokers chimed in, with Debbie Marsh writing: ‘I’ve never smoked in my life, but I don’t agree with that. 

‘Not in the garden – you could lose a lot of customers.’ 

Non-smoking Mr Garrod, however, stood by his decision despite the backlash and even admitted the policy could effect business.

‘There are some very very nice customers that we have that do smoke,’ he continued. 

Despite receiving a significant amount of backlash after announcing the decision, Mr Garrod has no plans to ditch the new policy

Non-smoking Mr Garrod, however, stood by his decision despite the backlash and even admitted the policy could effect business

‘I’m sad to lose them. But I’m a businessman and I need to attract the majority of people, not the minority.

‘If it’s voluntary and not legislation, I think some pubs will be non-smoking gardens and some pubs will be drinkers’ and smokers’ pubs… and I think that’s perfectly fine.’ 

The move has not been unanimously unpopular with pub-goers nevertheless, with some taking to Facebook to commend Mr Garrod’s decision.

One punter, Roy Jones, wrote on Facebook: ‘Good, smoking is an unnecessary, smelly and anti-social habit that affects every body around them with the stench it leaves. 

‘Ban smoking completely.’ 

Terry McAllister added: ‘I’m a smoker and agree with his choice.

‘It’s his pub and probably discussed it with regulars, so if they don’t want smoking in the beer garden then that’s their right.’ 

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) announced in early November that the government would be making a U-turn on plans to ban smoking in pub gardens

Mr Garrod’s divisive new policy comes just months after Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced ditching plans to make it illegal to smoke in pub gardens would be ditched.

Labour had hoped the move would contribute to their attempts to create a smoke-free generation across the United Kingdom. 

But following discussion with figures in the hospitality sector, Streeting announced a Government U-turn on the policy in early November.

‘People don’t want to see their high streets going down the pan,’ he said. 

‘There are lots of things we can and will do on public health that don’t impact on people’s liberties and livelihoods.’

Amid the ongoing struggles of the hospitality sector and the British high street post-lockdown, it had been feared the ban could see further closures in the industry. 

Over a period spanning a decade, the number of pubs in the country dramatically declined from 41,015 operating in 2013 to 38,175 with their doors open in 2023.