Keir Starmer defends outdoor smoking ban amid backlash

Sir Keir Starmer has defended his government's decision to consider an outdoor smoking ban for pub gardens and sports venues. A report released on Thursday morning suggests the prime minister is considering a ban in certain outdoor areas including pub gardens and outside hospitals. "Over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. That's a preventable death and it's a huge burden on the NHS and it's a burden on the taxpayer," Mr Starmer said. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn