It looks like there could be bad news again for smokers ahead of the return of parliament in September. Already Starmer’s stubbers have committed to resurrecting the last government’s pledge to ban smoking completely for those born after 2009, as part of a phased roll-out which would see ordinary members of the public ID’d at the shop till well into their 80s.

Now though it seems the new Labour administration wants to go even further. According to the Sun, leaked Whitehall papers show that ministers are considering an assault on the right to smoke outdoors as well, with the government looking to ban smoking entirely in beer gardens, restaurant terraces, shisha bars, children’s play areas and small parks. The ban could also be enforced outside nightclubs, universities and hospitals, according to the leaked documents.

The move would mark the first time a freeborn Englishman’s right to smoke outdoors has been curtailed. Still, ministers and officials, including Starmer and chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty, are said to be concerned about the impact of second-hand smoke – even outdoors.

What’s less clear is the impact this will have on pubs and bars, which will be hardest hit by the move. Rather ominously, the business department is said to be concerned about the impact on the hospitality sector, which not that long ago had to struggle through multiple lockdowns imposed by the state.

Mr S can imagine a fair few struggling pubs will be hearing this news with dread…