Lucy Powell Advocates for Smoke-Free UK: Outlines Economic and NHS Benefits, Asserts No Harm to Hospitality Sector

Lucy Powell, the leader of the Labour Party in the Commons, has stated that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that a smoke-free nation would 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 firmly stated that the government's proposed plans to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not intended as an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell communicated to Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the Labour Party aims to establish a "smoke-free nation" and plans to achieve this will be developed "in consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently elected administration committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's primary anti-smoking legislation, designed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after a certain year, effectively preventing those 14 and younger from ever purchasing them. However, this initiative was put on hold prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that his administration might extend smoking prohibitions to include outdoor venues, aiming to decrease the tobacco-related preventable death toll.

When questioned about concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We stand behind it. It plays a crucial role in our communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won’t speculate on the content of upcoming bills, but I will mention that any initiatives aimed at expanding regulations on smoking will involve thorough discussions with the hospitality industry."

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She also mentioned that there has been a longstanding agreement on the desire to achieve a smoke-free nation, noting 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 hospitality industry executives 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 encompass outdoor areas such as pub gardens, al fresco dining spots, external sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this development poses a significant economic threat to hospitality establishments. She highlighted that these venues have made substantial investments in outdoor spaces in good faith, even as they continue to grapple with financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern, asking, "Are we approaching a tipping point toward becoming a nanny state? What comes next?"

"While these actions might be motivated by valid health concerns, they could potentially polarize views and place additional regulatory demands on businesses that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Tory MPs have expressed opposition to the initiative, even though they have suggested their own measures to reduce smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, stating: "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting to smoke and use vapes. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind.

"However, banning outdoor smoking among adults was never on our agenda. Labour's actions are jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage declared to a newspaper that he would "forever avoid pubs if a ban on outdoor smoking were implemented".

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 admissions for childhood asthma within one year.

ASH has expressed support for the government’s initiatives, emphasizing the necessity of providing designated outdoor areas for smokers to help deter them from smoking inside.

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