Lucy Powell Champions Outdoor Smoking Ban, Asserts It’s Not an Assault on Hospitality Industry

Lucy Powell, the leader of the Labour Party in the House of Commons, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that making the UK smoke-free could 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 suggested ban on smoking in pub gardens does not constitute an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell, speaking on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, expressed Labour's intention to make the nation "smoke-free." She emphasized that the steps towards achieving this goal would be carried out "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 individuals born after a certain year, effectively making it illegal for those 14 and younger to ever purchase tobacco. However, this proposal was put on hold prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that his measures against smoking might extend to prohibiting it at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about the concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are backers of the hospitality industry which is crucial for our local communities, main streets, and the economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics that might be included in upcoming legislation. However, I will emphasize that any actions to broaden regulations concerning smoking will involve thorough consultations with the hospitality sector."

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Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, has labeled the proposed smoking ban as merely a diversion to shift attention away from the negative impacts of Labour's austerity measures.

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She noted that there has been a longstanding agreement on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, emphasizing that the health and economic advantages would be significant.

Annually, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to burden the NHS in England with costs of about £2.6 billion.

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but leaders in the hospitality industry caution that these measures might severely harm businesses already struggling from the pandemic and rising living costs.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might encompass areas such as beer gardens, outdoor dining establishments, external sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the leader of the industry group UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this could lead to significant economic damage for hospitality venues. She noted that these venues have made substantial investments in outdoor spaces in good faith, yet they still encounter ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern by asking, "Are we approaching the threshold of a nanny state? What will follow?"

"Although these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they could cause disagreement and add extra regulatory pressure on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Tory MPs have expressed opposition to the initiative, despite backing their own measures to limit smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, stating: "Our objective is to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation aims to achieve this.

"Our agenda did not include prohibiting outdoor smoking for adults. However, Labour's actions are jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage stated in an interview with 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 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 over the course of one year.

ASH is in favor of the government's suggestions, yet they emphasize the necessity of providing outdoor spaces for smokers to ensure they don't resort to smoking inside.

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