Beyond the Smoke: Labour’s Lucy Powell Advocates for Smoke-Free Pub Gardens Amidst Hospitality Industry Concerns

Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons for Labour, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a smoking ban in such spaces could positively impact both the economy and healthcare services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

For an optimal video experience, it is recommended to utilize the Chrome browser.

A cabinet minister has asserted that the government's proposed measures to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not meant to target the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips about Labour's goal to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any steps taken towards this aim would involve discussions with potentially impacted businesses.

Live Politics Update: Labour Remains Committed to National Insurance Promise

The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to anyone currently 14 years old or younger, a plan that was put on hold prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suggested he might extend the prohibition to include smoking in outdoor areas, in an effort to decrease the number of deaths caused by tobacco use.

When questioned about concerns that this decision might harm business, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We endorse the hospitality sector. It plays a crucial role in our communities, our shopping districts, and our economic system."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation, but any initiatives to broaden regulations on smoking will involve thorough discussions with the hospitality sector."

Further Discussion on Smoking

Minister Supports Outdoor Smoking Prohibition as Practical Strategy to Aid in Quitting Smoking

SNP's leader in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, has described the proposed smoking ban as merely a distraction from the negative impacts of Labour's austerity measures.

Jewish organization deems Esther McVey's tweet about smoking ban as 'repugnant'

Associated Subjects:

She mentioned that "there has been a widespread agreement for quite some time that our goal is to achieve 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 key figures in the hospitality industry caution that these could severely impact their businesses, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to beer gardens, alfresco dining areas, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

For further details, visit Sky News: Oasis enthusiasts upset over spike in concert ticket costs; Ex-Premier League player passes away at 39.

Stay ahead with the latest breaking news updates.

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this presents a significant risk of economic damage to hospitality establishments, which have "made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith and are still experiencing financial difficulties."

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, posed the question: "Is this pushing us toward being a nanny state? What will follow?"

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

Several Conservative MPs have expressed opposition to the initiative, even though they have their own measures aimed at preventing smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, saying: "Our goal is to shield our children from starting to smoke or vape. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind.

"However, we never intended to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper 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 decrease of 2.4% in hospital admissions for heart attacks and a 12.3% decline in hospital admissions for childhood asthma over the course of a year.

ASH endorses the government’s plans, emphasizing the necessity for designated outdoor areas for smokers to ensure they aren't compelled to smoke inside.

Associated Subjects

Sky News Bottom Section

Information About Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Sky Television Networks

Additional Sky Websites