The landlord of a Kent pub has hit back at claims his decision to ban all outdoor smoking is “woke” and will cost him customers.

John Garrod has put a stop to punters lighting up anywhere on the premises at the Hope Inn in Hythe, including in its beer garden and on its front patio.

The decision – which he believes could be a UK-first – has already sparked a backlash, with many critics saying the ban will lose the pub vital trade.

But 72-year-old Mr Garrod – himself a non-smoker - believes it will have the opposite effect, with customers preferring to enjoy a drink outdoors without a haze of fumes around them.

“You only need one person to be smoking a cigarette and their smoke is wafting over several other people, which makes it slightly less pleasant than it would otherwise be,” he told KentOnline.

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“So, the obvious action to take is to stop smoking within the garden, for the comfort of the majority.

“Not many of our customers smoke because of the demographic we attract. Most of them will eat, rather than just drink.

“Through the summer, the garden gets very, very busy with people eating.”

Smoking was controversially banned inside pubs and restaurants in 2007, but the rules did not extend to outside spaces, such as beer gardens.

However, last summer, the Labour government confirmed it was considering adding outdoor areas to the ban, but later scrapped the plans amid a fierce backlash from the hospitality industry.

Despite the u-turn, Mr Garrod decided to impose his own rules on Tuesday – as he is legally entitled to – with any customers now wanting to smoke having to leave the premises entirely to do so.

Unlike some other pubs in the UK that have banned smoking in beer gardens but kept designated areas for smokers, there is now nowhere at the Hope Inn where punters can still light up.

Mr Garrod says those who refuse to comply will be politely asked to stop, adding that there are many other venues they could choose to visit.

“It’s completely their choice,” he said.

“There are some good pubs in the area, which I reckon is where the drinkers and the smokers go.

“We don't really have many people that drink without eating, and we don't have the ‘five-pints-a-night’ guys, or anything like that.

“It's not our style, and we're probably a bit expensive if you’re only drinking, to be honest with you.”

In 2023, figures showed that 18.9% of adults in Folkestone and Hythe still smoked - the highest proportion in Kent and well above the national average of 11.9%.

So it is perhaps unsurprising that Mr Garrod’s plans drew criticism when he shared news of the ban.

One customer, Sara Hopper, responded: “That's a shame John! You know I love your pub, but I think that's crazy. Why shouldn't I enjoy a ciggie in the garden with my £6 pint?

“It's not harming anyone else! I work hard not to be nannied! Ridiculous!”

Debbie Marsh added: “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.”

Sophie Pendragon commented: “One of my few joys left is a cigarette and a glass of wine in a pub garden.

“My garden is a cheaper option anyway, but I liked helping our local businesses.”

Andy Heath simply wrote: “Go woke, go broke.”

The pub has also won support, though, with Ann Longstaff among those backing the ban.

“This is a great decision,” she said.

“Some smokers are selfish and don’t care who they puff their smoke at!

“A lot of people sit outside in the lovely garden area, not just smokers, just to enjoy the nicer weather and sunshine, with their dogs after a nice walk, for example, so I don’t see what’s ‘woke’ about it.”

Despite the complaints, Mr Garrod is undeterred and says the support he has received - both on social media and in person - is reassuring.

“Some people don't understand it, although a lot of smokers do understand it and are very agreeable with it,” he said.

“But smokers don't smell smoke, so they don't appreciate the discomfort other people are going through.

“The overwhelming majority of people are non-smokers and would rather not have smoke drifting over them while they're eating,” he explained.

“I think we'll probably gain business over it.

“There are some very, very nice customers that we have that do smoke, and I'm sad to lose them.

“But I'm a business, and I need to attract the majority of people, not the minority.

“I think we may be the first to do it, but we won't be the last.

“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.”

While smoking is banned, vapers will not be affected by the new rule - for now.

Mr Garrod, whose wife, Noiy, runs the pub’s adjoining Thai street food restaurant, believes vaping is less intrusive, but says he will “see how it goes”.