Government announces shock smoking ban U-turn

UPDATE: This story was an April Fool​​

Last month the Prime Minister announced that pubs would be able to extend their trading hours​ on 10 and 11 June to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday.

Now in a move that is likely to be welcomed by many licensees and pub-goers alike, pubs can allow customers to puff away without fear of prosecution from local councils on Saturday 11 June.

Announcing the change, Department of Health official Bill Smokes coughed: “We know lots of publicans would like to see smoking come back inside rather than having their customers huddled outside puffing away. Now for one day only they can and help celebrate Her Majesty’s big birthday in style.

"Rather than go outside on a lovely summer’s evening and enjoy the fresh air, smokers can choose to ruin other customers’ pub experience if they want to.”

Campaign group the Trade Association for British Smokers (TABS) said the decision was great news and would enhance the quality of the pub experience for a tiny minority up and down the country.

Cigarette makers also predicted a big jump in sales over that weekend as smokers stocked up so they could puff away uninhibited inside a pub for the first time in 9 years.