Lucy Powell Champions Smoke-Free UK: Outdoor Smoking Ban Aims to Protect Economy and NHS, Not Harm Hospitality

Lucy Powell, the leader for Labour in the Commons, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She supported the idea of extending smoking bans to include pub gardens, arguing 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 asserted that the government's proposed plans to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell explained on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the Labour Party aims to establish a "smoke-free country," and that steps toward this goal will be taken in collaboration with potentially impacted businesses.

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The incoming administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's major tobacco legislation, designed to prevent individuals aged 14 and younger from ever purchasing cigarettes, though it was set aside prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suggested he might extend prohibitions to include smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the number of deaths that result from tobacco use.

In response to concerns that this decision might devastate the commercial sector, Ms. Powell stated, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We back it fully because it's crucial for our communities, shopping districts, and economic health."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I will emphasize that any steps taken to broaden regulations concerning smoking will involve thorough discussions with the hospitality sector."

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Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, has labeled the proposed smoking ban as merely a distraction from the negative impacts of Labour's austerity policies.

A tweet by Esther McVey about a smoking ban has been described as 'repugnant' by a Jewish organization.

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

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

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but heads of the hospitality industry caution that these measures might deliver a devastating blow, 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 beer gardens, al fresco dining areas, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and several small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the lead executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that the new regulations pose a significant threat to the economic stability of hospitality businesses. She highlighted that these venues have made considerable investments in outdoor areas, in good faith, while still grappling with ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, posed the question, "Are we on the verge of turning into a nanny state? What comes next?"

"While these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they could potentially polarize views and add additional regulatory pressures on businesses that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed opposition to the strategy, even though they have suggested their own measures to limit smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X: "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting to smoke and use e-cigarettes. Our legislation aimed at creating a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind."

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

Reform party chief Nigel Farage stated in an interview with 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 enclosed communal areas.

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

ASH endorses the government's plans, yet emphasizes the necessity of providing outdoor spaces for smokers, to discourage indoor smoking.

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