Lucy Powell Defends Outdoor Smoking Ban: Aiming for a Smoke-Free Country, Not Targeting Hospitality

Lucy Powell, the Labour Party's leader in the House of Commons, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in the outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a smoking ban in places like pub gardens would not only improve public health but also bolster the economy and support the National Health Service.

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 informed Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning that the Labour Party aims to establish a "smoke-free nation," and plans to implement this will be discussed "in consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The incoming administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to anyone 14 or younger, a plan that had been postponed prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced he might extend prohibitions to include smoking at outdoor venues, aiming to decrease the preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

In response to concerns that this action might devastate commerce, Ms. Powell stated, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind the hospitality sector. 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 can confirm that any steps to broaden regulations related to smoking will involve thorough discussions with stakeholders in the hospitality sector."

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Leader of the SNP at Westminster, Stephen Flynn, has criticized the proposed smoking ban, labeling it a diversion tactic to shift attention away from Labour’s narrative of austerity and pessimism.

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

She also mentioned that there has long been a general agreement on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, which would result in significant health and economic advantages.

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 hospitality industry executives caution that this could be the last straw, especially after the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living increases.

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

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, expressed concern that this could lead to substantial economic damage for hospitality venues. She noted that these businesses have made considerable investments in outdoor spaces in good faith, despite ongoing financial struggles.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed a significant inquiry: "Are we on the verge of becoming a nanny state? What comes next?"

"While these policies are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they have the potential to polarize viewpoints and add more regulatory demands on businesses that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs expressed opposition to the initiative, although they had suggested their own measures to reduce smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, "We aim to shield our kids from starting to smoke and use e-cigarettes. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose."

"However, we did not intend to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage declared to a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if they banned smoking outdoors."

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 within one year.

ASH endorses the government's plans, yet emphasizes the necessity of providing designated outdoor areas for smokers to prevent them from smoking inside.

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