Lucy Powell Advocates for Outdoor Smoking Ban, Stresses Support for Hospitality Industry Amid Health and Economic Concerns

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a nationwide smoking ban, including in pub gardens, could positively impact the economy and the health service.

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, speaking on Sky News' "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips," expressed Labour's intention to establish a "smoke-free country." She noted that any steps taken toward this goal would involve discussions with potentially impacted businesses.

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The newly elected administration promised to revive Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger, although this initiative was postponed prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that his measures might extend to prohibiting smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about concerns that this action might be detrimental to businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind it fully because it's essential for our communities, main streets, and overall economy."

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

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She noted that "for quite some time, there has been a unanimous agreement on achieving a smoke-free nation," and the advantages to health and economy "would be substantial."

Annually, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to cost England's NHS roughly £2.6 billion.

Health advocates have praised 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 encompass areas such as pub gardens, outdoor dining venues, external sections of sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of the industry group UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this could lead to significant economic damage for hospitality businesses. She noted these establishments have made substantial investments in outdoor areas, trusting in their utility, yet they still confront ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern, asking, "Does this situation signal our shift towards a nanny state? What will follow?"

"While these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they could create controversy and add more regulatory demands on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed their opposition to the plan, despite having their own initiatives aimed at reducing 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 for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind.

"However, it was never our intention to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed 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 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 initiatives, emphasizing the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking habits.

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