Went for lunch a few weeks back (on one of the few days that made up “summer” – you might remember when that was). Idyllic pub, lovely garden, good beer, food and company. Unfortunately all ruined. Up to my ankles in dog ends, ash and cigarette burns all over the tables. Three smokers at the next table unfortunately with the wind in the wrong direction. Smoke and ash a constant. Eventually turned it in and went inside before food arrived.
There is a lovely pub in Sandown on the Isle of Wight called “The Caulkhead”. Haven’t been for a few years but last time I was there they had the right idea. One small corner of their garden was fenced off. In the enclosure was a single table with an ashtray. Smoking was only permitted in that enclosure - well away from the rest of the tables in the main garden - and the rule was rigorously enforced. Result – people wanting to have lunch in the garden could do so without being covered in ash, smoke and dog-ends.
“Neither do the drunken yobs or the parents of unruly children, should they also be banned from pub gardens?”
Most certainly. In fact, children (whether unruly or not) should never have been permitted in pubs or their gardens. Some places are needed for adults only and a pub is an ideal example. Drunken yobs should be asked to leave as it is an offence to serve somebody who is drunk with alcohol.