Lucy Powell Asserts Outdoor Smoking Ban Aims to Foster National Health, Not Hurt Hospitality

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, has stated that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to undermine the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a smoking ban in pub gardens could 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 aimed at undermining the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell conveyed to Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free nation" and that steps toward this goal will be undertaken "in consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The incoming administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, which aimed to prevent anyone aged 14 and younger from purchasing cigarettes in the future. However, this proposal was put on hold prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that he might extend current prohibitions to include smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the number of deaths that are preventable and associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are advocates for it because it's crucial for our local communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation, but I will emphasize that any initiatives aimed at expanding regulations on smoking will be thoroughly discussed with those in 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, which she believes would bring significant health and economic advantages.

Every year, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to cost England's NHS roughly £2.6 billion annually.

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but heads of the hospitality industry caution that this could be the last straw 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 garden sections of pubs, outdoor dining areas, external sections of sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the leading executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this could lead to significant economic damage for hospitality businesses, which have made substantial investments in outdoor areas and are still experiencing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, commented: "This brings up an essential issue: Are we approaching the threshold of 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 more regulatory pressure on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Tory MPs criticized the initiative, although they had suggested their own measures to prevent smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed on X, "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. We crafted our smoke-free generation bill with this purpose in mind.

"However, prohibiting outdoor smoking among adults was never included in our agenda. Labour's actions could jeopardize our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper 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 pubs and various other indoor public areas.

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

ASH has expressed its backing for the government's proposed measures, emphasizing that it's crucial for smokers to have designated outdoor areas so that they don't resort to smoking inside.

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