Beyond the Smoke: Labour Pushes for Outdoor Smoking Ban in Pub Gardens, Aims for Smoke-Free UK

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, has stated that prohibiting smoking in the outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that adopting such a ban could positively impact both the economy and the health services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 11

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A cabinet minister has emphasized that the government's proposed ban on smoking in pub gardens is not an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke on Sky News' "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips," expressing Labour's ambition to establish a "smoke-free country." She mentioned that the implementation of policies to realize this goal would involve "consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The incoming administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after a certain year, making them lifelong non-smokers. However, this plan was postponed prior to the electoral period.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated the possibility of extending smoking bans to outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the toll of preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind it fully. It plays a crucial role in our communities, in our commercial areas, and in our overall economy."

"I won't speculate on the contents of upcoming bills, but I will emphasize that any initiatives to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be fully discussed with those in the hospitality industry."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has criticized the proposed smoking ban, labeling it a diversion tactic to shift attention away from Labour's bleak austerity narrative.

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She also mentioned that there has been a widespread agreement for quite some time on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, noting that the health and economic gains would be significant.

Every year, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to cost the National Health Service (NHS) in England roughly £2.6 billion annually.

Health advocates have embraced the new proposals, but hospitality industry executives caution that these measures, following the challenges of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, might severely harm their businesses.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might encompass areas such as beer garden patios, al fresco dining spots, external sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain compact parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this poses a significant economic threat to hospitality businesses, which have made substantial investments in outdoor areas and are still dealing with financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, commented, "This prompts a crucial inquiry: Are we on the verge of evolving into a nanny state? What will follow?"

"While these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they also carry the potential to polarize views and add more regulatory demands on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Tory MPs have expressed opposition to the strategy, despite backing their party's initiatives aimed at preventing smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, stating, “Our goal is to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind.”

"However, prohibiting outdoor smoking among adults was never on our agenda. In doing so, Labour is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if a ban on outdoor smoking were implemented."

In 2007, the previous Labour administration implemented a prohibition on smoking within pubs and other indoor public areas.

According to Action on Smoking Health (ASH), there was a 2.4% decrease in hospital admissions for heart attacks and a 12.3% decrease in hospital admissions for childhood asthma within one year.

ASH endorses the government's plans; however, they emphasize the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking among tobacco users.

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