Lucy Powell Advocates for Smoke-Free UK, Asserts Outdoor Smoking Ban Not Targeting Hospitality Sector

Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons for the Labour Party, maintains that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argues that making the nation smoke-free would positively impact both the economy and the healthcare system.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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

Lucy Powell conveyed to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free country," and plans to implement this will be discussed "in consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recent administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to anyone who is 14 or younger, indefinitely. However, this proposal was put on hold prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that his efforts to combat tobacco-related preventable deaths might extend to prohibiting smoking at outdoor venues as well.

In response to concerns that this action might devastate commerce, Ms. Powell commented, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We back the hospitality sector fully. It's crucial for our communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation, but I can confirm that any efforts to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be fully coordinated with those in the hospitality industry."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has described the proposed smoking ban as merely a distraction intended to shift attention away from Labour's dire austerity forecasts.

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She also mentioned that there has been a longstanding agreement on the desire for a smoke-free nation, noting that the health and economic gains would be substantial.

Annually, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to incur costs of around £2.6 billion for England's NHS.

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but hospitality sector executives caution that this could be the last straw after the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to beer gardens, al fresco dining areas, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, expressed concern that this could lead to severe economic damage for hospitality locations. She noted that these venues have made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith, despite ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed the question, "Are we approaching the threshold of a nanny state? What comes after this?"

"Although these actions are potentially motivated by concerns for public health, they could lead to polarized views and add more regulatory demands on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have voiced opposition to the plan, despite their suggestions to reduce smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed on X, "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting to smoke and use vapes. Our legislation aimed at creating a smoke-free generation was crafted with this in mind."

"However, our agenda did not include prohibiting outdoor smoking for adults. Labour's actions could endanger 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 bars and various other enclosed communal areas.

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

ASH endorses the government's plans, yet emphasizes the necessity of providing outdoor spaces for smokers to ensure they don't resort to smoking inside.

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