Lucy Powell Asserts Outdoor Smoking Ban Aims to Protect Public Health, Not Harm Hospitality Industry

Lucy Powell, leader of Labour in the Commons, argues that prohibiting outdoor smoking is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She supports proposed rules to eliminate smoking in outdoor pub areas, stating that a smoke-free nation would enhance both the economy and the NHS.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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

Lucy Powell spoke to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning, expressing Labour's goal to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any steps toward this objective would be taken "in consultation" with the businesses that might be impacted.

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The recently elected administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation that aimed to prevent anyone aged 14 and younger from ever purchasing cigarettes; however, this proposal was put on hold prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that he might extend the ban on smoking to include outdoor venues, aiming to decrease the number of deaths caused by tobacco.

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

"I won't speculate about the contents of upcoming legislation, but I will emphasize that any steps taken to broaden regulations on smoking will be fully discussed with stakeholders in the hospitality sector."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn claims that the proposed smoking ban is merely a distraction from Labour's bleak austerity narrative.

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She noted that there has been widespread agreement for quite some time on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, emphasizing that the potential health and economic advantages would be significant.

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

Health advocates have praised the recent proposals, however, hospitality industry executives caution that this could worsen their plight, especially after the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to include 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 poses a threat of severe economic damage to hospitality establishments, which have "made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith and are still experiencing financial difficulties."

Michael Kill, Chief Executive of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern, asking, "Does this signal our shift towards a nanny state? What will follow?"

"While these actions might be motivated by valid health concerns, they have the potential to polarize views and place additional regulatory demands on companies that are already struggling with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed their 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 youth from starting to smoke and use vapes. Our legislation aimed at creating a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind.

"However, we didn't intend to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's actions could jeopardize our hospitality industry."

Nigel Farage, the head of the Reform Party, expressed to 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 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 hospital admissions for childhood asthma within one year.

ASH endorses the government's plans, yet they emphasize the necessity of providing designated outdoor areas for smokers to prevent indoor smoking.

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