Lucy Powell Advocates for Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces, Asserts No Threat to Hospitality Industry

Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons for the Labour Party, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that a nationwide smoking ban could positively impact both the economy and health services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has stressed that the government's proposal 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 the Labour Party aims to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any steps toward this goal would be taken after consulting with the businesses that might be impacted.

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The recently elected administration committed to reviving Rishi Sunak’s major anti-smoking legislation. This law aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after a certain year, effectively barring those 14 and younger from ever purchasing cigarettes. However, the plan was put on hold prior to the elections

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 tobacco-related preventable deaths.

When questioned on the potential backlash that this decision might "destroy business," Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind the hospitality industry. It plays a crucial role in our communities, on our main streets, and in our overall economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation, but I want to emphasize that any expansion of regulations concerning smoking will involve thorough discussions with the hospitality sector."

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

Smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths annually and is estimated to cost England's NHS around £2.6 billion each year.

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but representatives from the hospitality industry caution that these could deliver a devastating blow, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

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 poses a significant risk of economic damage to hospitality businesses. She noted that these venues have made substantial investments in outdoor areas and are still experiencing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern by asking: "Is this pushing us toward a nanny state? What will follow?"

"Although these actions are likely justified by public health needs, they may cause division among people and add more regulatory pressure on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed opposition to the initiative, despite their own suggestions to limit 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 was crafted with this purpose in mind.

Banning outdoor smoking among adults wasn't included in our agenda. Yet, Labour's approach could potentially jeopardize our hospitality industry.

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if there was a ban on outdoor smoking."

In 2007, the previous Labour administration implemented a prohibition on smoking within pubs and various other enclosed communal areas.

Action on Smoking Health (ASH) reported that within one year, there was a 2.4% decrease in hospital admissions for heart attacks and a 12.3% decrease in hospital admissions for childhood asthma.

ASH has expressed their backing for the government's initiatives, emphasizing the need for designated outdoor areas for smokers to help avoid indoor smoking.

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