Lucy Powell Advocates for Smoke-Free UK, Asserts Outdoor Smoking Ban Aids Economy and Health, Not Hospitality Harm

Lucy Powell, the Labour Party's leader in the House of Commons, has strongly defended proposals to prohibit smoking in outdoor areas of pubs, arguing that a smoke-free nation could positively impact both the economy and healthcare services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has strongly denied that the government's proposed legislation to prohibit smoking in pub gardens is an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell informed Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free country," adding that any steps taken towards this goal will be coordinated in consultation with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently elected administration committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's primary tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to anyone currently 14 years old or younger, a plan that had been put on hold prior to the voting period.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that his efforts might extend to prohibiting smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the fatalities associated with tobacco use that could be avoided.

In response to concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell stated, "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 economy."

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

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has criticized the proposed smoking ban, labeling it a diversion tactic by Labour to shift attention away from their pessimistic austerity agenda.

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She mentioned 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 key figures in the hospitality industry caution that these measures 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 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, warned that this could pose a significant economic threat to hospitality establishments, which have made substantial investments in outdoor areas and are still dealing with 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 comes after this?"

"Although these policies are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they could polarize viewpoints and add additional regulatory strain on businesses that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed opposition to the initiative, even though they have suggested their own measures to limit smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, "We aim 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."

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

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a publication 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 bars and other indoor public areas.

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

ASH endorses the government's initiatives, yet emphasizes the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking among tobacco users.

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