Labour’s Outdoor Smoking Ban: A Health Move or a Hospitality Harm? Lucy Powell Defends New Proposals

Lucy Powell, the Labour Party's leader in the Commons, has argued that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She supported proposals to extend smoking bans to include pub gardens, stating that a smoke-free nation could positively impact both the economy and healthcare services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has firmly stated 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," stating that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free country." She mentioned that the steps to accomplish this would be taken in cooperation with the businesses that might be impacted.

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The incoming administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, which proposed a permanent buying ban on cigarettes for individuals 14 years old and younger, though it was postponed prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that he might extend the smoking ban to include outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the preventable deaths associated with tobacco use.

When questioned about concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We stand behind it fully. It's crucial for our neighborhoods, our main streets, and our economic health."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I can confirm that any plans to broaden regulations concerning smoking will involve thorough discussions with those in the hospitality industry."

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She mentioned that there has been a widespread agreement for quite some time that the goal is to achieve a smoke-free nation, and the potential health and economic gains from this 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 expressed support for the new proposals, but figures in the hospitality industry caution that this could severely impact businesses already strained by the pandemic and rising living costs.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might encompass areas such as pub gardens, al fresco dining spots, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that the new measures could inflict substantial economic damage on hospitality venues. She noted these venues have heavily invested in outdoor spaces, believing it to be a good decision, yet they still encounter ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern by stating, "This prompts an essential query: Are we edging towards a nanny state? What will follow?"

"Although these actions are likely inspired by concerns for public health, they carry the potential to polarize views and add further regulatory demands on companies that are already struggling with significant difficulties."

Several Tory MPs voiced their opposition to the initiative, even though they had suggested their own measures to limit smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, stating, "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 prohibiting outdoor smoking for adults. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "forever avoid pubs if a ban on outdoor smoking were implemented."

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 has expressed its backing for the government's initiatives, noting the significance of providing outdoor areas for smokers to prevent them from smoking inside.

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