Future of Fresh Air: Labour’s Lucy Powell Defends Proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban Amid Hospitality Industry Concerns

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, has argued that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She supported the idea, stating that a smoke-free nation could positively impact both the economy and health services.

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Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has firmly stated that the government's plans to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not intended as an assault on the hospitality sector.

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

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The current administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger, a plan that was put on hold prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that he might extend the existing smoking bans to include outdoor venues as part of efforts to decrease the preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned on the view that this decision might harm business, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are in fact backers of this industry, which is crucial for our local communities, our high streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I will note 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 described the proposed smoking ban as a diversion tactic to shift attention away from Labour's bleak austerity narratives.

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She mentioned that "there has been a widespread agreement for quite some time that we aim for a smoke-free nation," and the advantages to health and the economy "would be substantial."

Annually, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to burden England's NHS with costs of about £2.6 billion.

Public health advocates have expressed support for the new proposals, but representatives from the hospitality industry caution that these measures might deliver a devastating blow, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living increases.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might cover areas such as beer garden sections of pubs, outdoor dining areas, external sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, warned that there is a risk of "severe economic damage to hospitality locations," which have all made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith, despite ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed a crucial inquiry: "Are we edging towards becoming a nanny state? What comes next?"

"While these policies are likely based on concerns for public health, they have the potential to polarize views and add additional regulatory demands on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

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

"However, our agenda did not include prohibiting adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

In an interview with a newspaper, reform advocate Nigel Farage declared that he would "stop visiting pubs altogether if smoking outdoors were prohibited."

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 decrease of 2.4% in hospital admissions for heart attacks and a 12.3% drop in admissions for childhood asthma within one year.

ASH has expressed their approval of the government's plans, yet they emphasize the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to deter smokers from doing so inside.

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