Lucy Powell Advocates for Smoke-Free Outdoor Venues, Asserting No Harm to Hospitality Industry

Lucy Powell, the Commons leader for Labour, has asserted that proposing a prohibition on smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not intended to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that adopting such a ban could positively impact the economy and healthcare system by promoting a smoke-free environment.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has asserted that the government's proposed initiative to prohibit smoking in pub gardens is not an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell informed Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning program that the Labour Party is aiming to establish a "smoke-free country." She stated that the steps to accomplish this would be carried out "in consultation" with the businesses that might be impacted.

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The recent administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, which aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger permanently. However, this initiative was put on hold prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that measures might be intensified to include prohibitions on smoking in outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the toll of preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned on the feedback that this decision might devastate businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are backers of the hospitality industry. It plays a crucial role in our communities, our main streets, and our economic system."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I will emphasize that any steps to broaden smoking-related regulations will be taken in close collaboration with the hospitality sector."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has criticized the proposed smoking ban, labeling it a distraction from the negative impacts of Labour's austerity measures.

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She mentioned that "for quite some time, there has been a unanimous agreement on achieving a smoke-free nation," emphasizing that the health and economic advantages "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 recent proposals, but figures in the hospitality industry caution that these changes might 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 encompass areas such as beer gardens, alfresco dining sections, external sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this poses a significant economic threat to hospitality venues. She noted that these establishments have made substantial investments in outdoor spaces in good faith, yet they still encounter financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, remarked: "This brings up an essential issue: Are we on the verge of turning into a nanny state? What will follow?"

"While these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they carry the potential to polarize views and add further regulatory demands on companies already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Tory MPs have voiced their opposition to the initiative, even though they have suggested measures to limit smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed on X, "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation aimed to achieve this.

"However, prohibiting outdoor smoking among adults was never in our agenda. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if smoking outdoors were prohibited."

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 among tobacco users.

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