Lucy Powell Advocates for Smoke-Free Country, Defends Outdoor Smoking Ban as Pro-Hospitality and Health Initiative

Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons from the Labour Party, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor pub areas is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that establishing a smoke-free environment 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 asserted that the government's proposed legislation to prohibit smoking in pub gardens is not an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning, stating that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free country." She noted that any actions taken would be developed in collaboration with impacted businesses.

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The recently elected administration committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger, though it was postponed prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that measures might be intensified to include a prohibition on smoking at outdoor venues, aiming to decrease the mortality rate associated with tobacco consumption.

In response to concerns that this decision might devastate commerce, Ms. Powell stated, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We back the hospitality sector fully. It is essential for our local communities, our main streets, and our economic system."

"I won't speculate on the contents of upcoming legislative proposals. However, I can assure you that any steps to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be taken in close collaboration with stakeholders in the hospitality industry."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has described the proposed smoking ban as a distraction, meant to shift focus from Labour's grim austerity narrative.

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She noted that there has been a "long-standing agreement that our goal is a smoke-free nation," emphasizing that the health and economic advantages "would be substantial."

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 hospitality industry executives caution that these could deliver a devastating blow, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living increases.

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

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Kate Nicholls, the head of the industry group UKHospitality, warned that this presents a significant risk of economic damage to hospitality establishments. She noted that these venues have made substantial investments in outdoor areas, believing it would pay off, yet they still confront ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed a significant query: "Are we approaching the threshold of a nanny state? What could possibly follow?"

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

Several Conservative MPs have expressed opposition to the strategy, despite having put forward their own initiatives aimed at preventing youth from smoking. 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, we never intended to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform Party head Nigel Farage declared to 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 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 emphasizes the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to deter smokers from lighting up inside.

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