Lucy Powell Advocates for Outdoor Smoking Ban, Asserts Support for Hospitality Industry Amid Health and Economic Benefits

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 implementing a ban on smoking in these areas could positively impact both the economy and the health services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 11

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

Lucy Powell expressed to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning that the Labour Party is aiming to establish a "smoke-free country." She mentioned that the steps to accomplish this would be taken after "consultation" with the businesses that might be impacted.

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

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated the possibility of extending smoking bans to include outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the tobacco-related preventable death toll.

When questioned about the criticism that this initiative might be detrimental to business, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector negatively. We are in support of it because it plays a crucial role in our communities, our high streets, and our overall economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I will emphasize that any steps taken to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be fully discussed with stakeholders in the hospitality sector."

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Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, has described the proposed smoking ban as merely a distraction from the negative impacts of Labour's austerity policies.

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She also mentioned that for quite some time, there has been a general agreement on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, with significant health and financial advantages expected as a result.

Smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths annually and is estimated to cost the NHS in England roughly £2.6 billion each year.

Health advocates have expressed support for the new proposals, but hospitality industry executives caution that these measures might severely impact businesses already struggling from the pandemic and rising living costs.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to beer gardens, alfresco dining areas, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, warned that this situation could lead to significant economic damage for hospitality venues. She highlighted that these venues have made substantial investments in outdoor areas and are still dealing with financial hardships.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, commented, "This brings us to an essential inquiry: Are we on the verge of turning into a nanny state? What will follow?"

"While these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they also carry the potential to polarize views and add more regulatory requirements for 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 kids from starting to smoke and vape. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation aims to achieve this.

"However, banning outdoor smoking among adults was never on our agenda. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "stop visiting pubs altogether if smoking outdoors were 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), 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 smoking areas to deter smokers from doing so indoors.

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