Lucy Powell Advocates for Outdoor Smoking Ban, Asserts Support for Hospitality Industry Amid Health Goals

Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons for Labour, asserts 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, 11:

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A cabinet minister has firmly stated that the government's proposed measures to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are 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 noted that steps toward this goal would be taken "in consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, which aimed to prevent anyone aged 14 and younger from ever purchasing cigarettes. However, this proposal was put on hold 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 concerns that this action might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We back the hospitality sector fully because it is crucial for our communities, our high streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the details of upcoming legislation. However, I can confirm that any steps to broaden regulations on smoking will involve thorough discussions with stakeholders in the hospitality sector."

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Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, has described the proposed smoking ban as a diversion tactic to shift attention away from the negative impacts of Labour's austerity measures.

A Jewish organization has described Esther McVey's tweet about a smoking ban as 'repugnant'.

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She noted that there has been a longstanding agreement on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, emphasizing that the health and economic advantages would be significant.

Annually, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to cost the NHS in England around £2.6 billion.

Health advocates have expressed support for the new proposals, however, executives in the hospitality industry caution that these measures might deeply exacerbate the already severe impacts of the pandemic and ongoing economic struggles.

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

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this brings the risk of substantial economic damage to hospitality establishments, which have "made considerable investments in outdoor areas in good faith and are still dealing with financial hardships."

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, commented, "This brings us to a crucial issue: Are we on the verge of turning into a nanny state? What comes next?"

"Although these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they could potentially polarize views and place an additional regulatory load on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed opposition to the plan, even though they have suggested their own measures to restrict 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 aimed at creating a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose."

"However, we never intended to prohibit adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform party chief Nigel Farage stated to a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if they banned smoking outdoors".

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 they emphasize the necessity of providing outdoor spaces for smokers to prevent indoor smoking.

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