Labour’s Lucy Powell Champions Smoke-Free Vision, Asserts Outdoor Smoking Ban Not Targeting Hospitality Industry

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, has asserted that a ban on smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not intended to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a nationwide smoking prohibition, including in pub gardens, could positively impact both the economy and health services.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has asserted that the government's proposed measures 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," 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 recently formed administration committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, designed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger, a plan that was postponed prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed that he might extend current restrictions to include the prohibition of smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the mortality rate associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about concerns that this decision might harm business, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind the hospitality sector. It's crucial for our local communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I will emphasize that any initiatives to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be thoroughly discussed with those in the hospitality industry."

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She also mentioned that "for a considerable period, there's been a unanimous agreement on achieving a smoke-free nation," emphasizing that the health and economic gains "would be substantial."

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 initiatives, but hospitality sector executives caution that these measures might be devastating, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might cover areas such as beer gardens, alfresco dining spots, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, head of the industry group UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this poses 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 of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern, asking, "Does this situation signal our shift towards becoming a nanny state? What will follow?"

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

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 shared on X, "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, our agenda did not include preventing adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if they banned 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 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, yet emphasizes the necessity for designated outdoor areas for smokers to prevent indoor smoking.

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