Beyond the Smoke: Labour’s Lucy Powell Defends Proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban, Stresses Economic and Health Benefits

Lucy Powell, the leader in the House of Commons for the Labour Party, has argued that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She supports the introduction of such bans, suggesting that a smoke-free nation could positively impact both the economy and the healthcare system.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 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 goal to establish a "smoke-free country." She mentioned that any actions taken towards this aim would involve discussions with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, which aimed to permanently prohibit the sale of cigarettes to anyone currently aged 14 or younger, though this proposal was set aside prior to the elections.

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

When questioned about concerns that this action might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We stand behind the hospitality industry. It is crucial for our communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the contents of upcoming legislation, but I can confirm that any steps to expand regulations on smoking will involve thorough discussions with those in the hospitality industry."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has described the proposed smoking ban as a diversion tactic to shift attention away from Labour's grim economic policies.

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She also noted that there has been a longstanding agreement on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, emphasizing that the health and economic advantages would be substantial.

Each year, approximately 80,000 deaths are attributed to smoking, and it is estimated to cost England's NHS around £2.6 billion annually.

Health advocates have praised the new initiatives, but hospitality sector executives caution that these measures might deliver the final blow to an industry already battered by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to beer gardens, al fresco dining areas, external sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the lead executive at UKHospitality, warned that this poses a risk of severe economic damage to hospitality establishments, which have "all made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith and are still dealing with financial hardships."

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed the question: "Are we nearing the verge of transforming into a nanny state? What comes after this?

"These initiatives, though potentially motivated by public health needs, could polarize views and add more regulatory strain on companies that are already dealing with significant obstacles."

Several Conservative MPs have voiced their opposition to the initiative, even though they have suggested their own measures to limit smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed on X, "We aim to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was intended to achieve this.

"However, we had no intention of prohibiting outdoor smoking for adults. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform party head Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "never visit a bar again if smoking outside was prohibited."

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

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

ASH endorses the government's plans yet emphasizes the necessity of providing designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking among smokers.

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