AS FIVE councils in England ban smoking outside bars, restaurants and cafes, Blackburn with Darwen bosses have discussed the possibility of a ban in their towns.

As part of plans to make England smoke-free by 2025, Northumberland County Council, Durham, North Tyneside, Newcastle and the City of Manchester have introduced a ban on smoking on pavements outside licensed hospitality establishments.

When the government initially released statements on the possibility last year, it was met with mostly criticism and the Lancashire Telegraph asked readers what they thought.

The comments were mostly negative, as most people thought that smoking was up to the individual and if already banned inside, it did not need to be banned outside too.

Paul Clough said: “No, it's outside if non-smokers don't like it then stay at home in your own smoke-free zone and stop complaining.”

Holly Lawrence said: “No it’s getting stupid banning it everywhere. I don't smoke but think everyone has the right to choose.”

Michelle Goodwin said: “Anything else they want to stop? I am a non-smoker but why should smokers have been stopped when outside anyway.”

Blackburn with Darwen currently has no plans to follow suit in banning smoking outside hospitality establishments.

Regeneration boss, Cllr Phil Riley said: “We have no plans at the moment of doing this.

“We will observe and see if it works and how it works for the councils implementing it.”

But some people commented saying that smoking was already harmful and should be banned.

Matt Shaw said: “Yes from me. I am all for free liberation, if you had said this 10 years ago I would of said no way, 20 years ago everyone was smoking on the top deck of the bus, but this is 2021, you cannot even buy a menthol cigarette.

“Can you remember the time coming home from the pub, clothing stinking of smoke, straight in the wash.”

The government has already pushed for hospitality venues to provide separate seating for smokers and non-smokers in a bid to build a smoke-free England.

Martin Scott said: “Yes, it certainly should be banned unless sat in the smoking shelter away from the non-smokers and people with health conditions.”

But many of the people saying yes said that as inside dining commenced, they would not mind as much.