Beyond the Smoke: Labour’s Lucy Powell Advocates for Outdoor Smoking Ban, Prioritizing Public Health Over Hospitality Concerns

Lucy Powell, the leader of the Labour Party in the House of Commons, asserts that prohibiting outdoor smoking is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She supported the idea of making pub gardens smoke-free, arguing that such a policy would be economically beneficial and help the NHS.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 11

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A cabinet minister has firmly stated that the government's proposed regulations to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not intended to target the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke to Sky News on "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips," explaining that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that the steps to accomplish this would be taken "in consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The latest administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, designed to permanently prohibit the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger, although it was postponed prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced he might extend prohibitions to include smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to lower the preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned on the backlash suggesting this decision might "destroy business," Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind it fully because it’s crucial for our communities, local businesses, and the economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation, but I will emphasize that any initiatives to broaden regulations regarding smoking will be thoroughly discussed with stakeholders in the hospitality industry."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has described the proposed smoking ban as merely a distraction aimed at shifting focus from Labour's narrative of austerity and pessimism.

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She also mentioned that "there has been agreement for quite some time that we aim for a smoke-free nation," emphasizing that the "health and economic advantages would be significant."

Smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths annually and is estimated to cost England's NHS roughly £2.6 billion each year.

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but hospitality industry executives caution that these measures might deliver the final blow, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the escalating cost of living.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to beer gardens, al fresco dining areas, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain compact parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the leading executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this presents a significant risk of economic damage to hospitality establishments. She highlighted that these venues have made considerable investments in outdoor areas and are still dealing with financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, posed the question, "Are we edging toward a nanny state? What could possibly come next?"

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

Several Conservative MPs have expressed their opposition to the plan, even though they have introduced their own measures aimed at preventing smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, "We aim to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted for this purpose.

"However, we didn't intend to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach could endanger our hospitality industry."

Reform party chief Nigel Farage informed a publication that he would "forever avoid pubs if they prohibited outdoor smoking."

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

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

ASH has expressed their backing for the government's initiatives, emphasizing the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to deter individuals from smoking inside.

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