Lucy Powell Defends Outdoor Smoking Ban: Aiming for a Smoke-Free UK Without Harming Hospitality

Lucy Powell, the Labour Party's leader in the Commons, has asserted that prohibiting outdoor smoking is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a ban on smoking in areas like pub gardens could positively impact both the economy and the health services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

For an enhanced video playback experience, it is recommended to utilize the Chrome browser

A cabinet minister has asserted that the government's proposed plans to prohibit smoking in pub gardens do not constitute an attack on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke with Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning, expressing Labour's aim to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any steps taken towards this goal would be implemented after "consulting" with potentially impacted businesses.

Live Politics: Labour reaffirms commitment to national insurance promise

The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger, a plan that was postponed prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that he might extend the ban on smoking to include outdoor venues as well, in an effort to decrease the number of deaths that are preventable and related to tobacco consumption.

In response to concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell stated, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind the hospitality sector. It plays a crucial role in our local communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the contents of upcoming bills, but I will emphasize that any initiatives to broaden smoking-related regulations will be developed in close collaboration with the hospitality sector."

Further Discussion on Smoking

Minister Calls Outdoor Smoking Ban a 'Practical Strategy' to Aid in Quitting Smoking

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

Jewish organization slams Esther McVey's tweet about smoking ban as 'repugnant'

She mentioned that there has been a widespread agreement for quite some time that the goal is to achieve a smoke-free nation, and that the resulting health and economic gains would be substantial.

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

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but hospitality industry executives caution that these measures might deliver a crippling blow, especially after the challenges posed 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 certain small parks.

Explore further on Sky News: Oasis enthusiasts voice concerns over spike in concert ticket costs. Ex-Premier League player passes away at 39.

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, warned that this poses a significant economic threat to hospitality establishments, which have heavily invested in outdoor areas in good faith and are still experiencing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, questioned, "This prompts a vital inquiry: Are we edging toward a nanny state? What will follow?"

"Although these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they have the potential to create division and add more regulatory demands on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs voiced opposition to the initiative, despite advocating for measures to limit smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed on X, "Our aim is to shield our youth from starting to smoke and vape. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this goal in mind."

"Our intention was never to prohibit outdoor smoking for adults. Yet, Labour's actions could potentially 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.

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

ASH has expressed support for the government's proposals, emphasizing the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to deter smokers from smoking indoors.

Associated Subjects

Footer of Sky News

Information About Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Channels on Sky

Additional Sky Websites