Lucy Powell Advocates for Outdoor Smoking Ban, Dismisses Threats to Hospitality Industry

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in pub gardens and other outdoor hospitality settings is not meant to harm the industry. She argued that creating a smoke-free environment could actually have positive economic impacts and assist the National Health Service (NHS).

Political correspondent @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 aimed at undermining the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke on Sky News' "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips," sharing Labour's goal to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any steps taken toward this aim would involve discussions with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, designed to prevent individuals aged 14 and younger from ever purchasing cigarettes, although it was postponed prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that he might extend prohibitions to include smoking at outdoor venues as part of efforts to decrease deaths associated with tobacco use.

When questioned on the notion that this decision might devastate the business sector, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are in support of it. It’s crucial for our local communities, main streets, and economic health."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I will note that any steps taken to broaden regulations on smoking will fully involve discussions with those in the hospitality industry."

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She mentioned that "there has been a longstanding agreement on the aspiration for a smoke-free nation," emphasizing that the resulting health and economic gains "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 praised the new proposals, but key figures in the hospitality industry caution that these measures might deliver a devastating blow, especially after the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

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

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this could lead to severe economic damage for hospitality venues. She pointed out that these establishments have made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith, while still grappling with ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed a pertinent question, asking: "Are we approaching the threshold of becoming a nanny state? What comes next?"

"Although these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they carry the potential to polarize views and add more regulatory constraints to companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Tory 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, stating, "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting to smoke and use e-cigarettes. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind."

Our agenda did not include preventing adults from smoking outdoors. Nevertheless, Labour's actions are jeopardizing our hospitality industry.

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if they prohibited 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 has expressed approval for the government's plans, emphasizing the necessity of providing designated outdoor areas for smokers to prevent indoor smoking.

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