Labour’s Lucy Powell Defends Proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban, Insists It Supports, Not Sabotages, Hospitality Sector

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, has stated that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that such a ban could positively impact both the economy and healthcare services by promoting a smoke-free environment.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has firmly stated that the government's proposed plans to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not aimed at undermining the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell, speaking on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, expressed Labour's ambition to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any steps taken towards this goal would be implemented after "consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently elected administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's main anti-smoking legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger permanently. However, the proposal was put on hold prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that his efforts to combat tobacco-related deaths might extend to prohibiting smoking at outdoor venues as well.

When questioned on the claim that this decision might devastate businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are backers of the hospitality industry. It's crucial for our local communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the potential contents of upcoming legislation, but I will mention that any initiatives to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be fully discussed with those in the hospitality industry."

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She mentioned that "for quite some time, there has been a unanimous agreement on achieving a smoke-free nation," and the benefits to health and economy "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 expressed support for the new proposals, however, executives in the hospitality industry caution that this could be a devastating blow, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

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

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Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this could lead to significant economic damage for hospitality venues. She noted that these businesses have made substantial investments in outdoor spaces in good faith, yet they still confront ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern by asking, "Is this pushing us towards being a nanny state? What will happen now?"

"While these actions may be motivated by legitimate health concerns, they also run the risk of polarizing public opinion and adding further regulatory demands on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have voiced opposition to the initiative, even though they have suggested their own measures to reduce smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed on X, saying: "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."

"Our agenda did not include prohibiting outdoor smoking for adults. Nevertheless, Labour's actions could endanger our hospitality industry."

Reform party head Nigel Farage declared to 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 other enclosed 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% decrease in hospital admissions for childhood asthma within one year.

ASH endorses the government's initiatives, yet emphasizes the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking among tobacco users.

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