Lucy Powell Defends Outdoor Smoking Ban as Pro-Health, Not Anti-Hospitality

Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons from the Labour Party, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that moving towards a smoke-free nation could 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 spoke to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning, stating that the Labour Party aims to establish a "smoke-free country" and that steps toward this goal will be taken following discussions with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to anyone currently 14 years old or younger, a plan that was put on hold prior to the elections.

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

When questioned on the claim that this decision might devastate the business sector, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We back it fully because it's crucial for our communities, our high streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation, but I will emphasize that any actions to broaden regulations on smoking will be thoroughly discussed with stakeholders in the hospitality sector."

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She mentioned that there has long been a unanimous agreement on the ambition to achieve a smoke-free nation, emphasizing that the health and economic advantages "would be enormous."

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

Health advocates have praised the recent proposals, but hospitality industry executives caution that these measures might deliver a devastating 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 areas such as beer garden seating, outdoor dining sections, external areas of sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of the industry group UKHospitality, expressed concerns that there is a "risk of severe economic damage to hospitality locations," which have "made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith and are still dealing with financial difficulties."

Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, questioned: "This brings us to a crucial point: Are we on the verge of turning into a nanny state? What will follow?"

"While these actions might be motivated by valid health concerns, they could potentially polarize public opinion and add further regulatory strain on businesses that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Tory MPs have voiced opposition to the initiative, even though they have suggested their own measures to reduce smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins expressed on X, "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting to smoke or vape. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind."

"However, our agenda did not include prohibiting adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach may jeopardize our hospitality industry."

Reform party head Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if they prohibited smoking outside."

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 hospitalizations for heart attacks and a 12.3% decrease in hospital admissions for childhood asthma within one year.

ASH has expressed their backing for the government's initiatives, however, they emphasize the necessity of providing outdoor areas for smokers to ensure they avoid smoking inside.

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