Lucy Powell Defends Outdoor Smoking Ban: Not an Attack on Hospitality, but a Move Towards a Healthier Economy

Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons for the Labour Party, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a ban on smoking in these areas could positively impact both the economy and public health services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has firmly stated that the government's proposed prohibition on smoking in pub gardens is not an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning, expressing Labour's ambition to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any actions taken towards this goal would involve discussions with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently established administration committed to reinstating Rishi Sunak's central 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 indicated that he might extend the prohibition to include smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the number of deaths that are preventable and associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about concerns that this decision might harm business, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We stand behind the hospitality industry. It is crucial for our communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming bills, but I can assure you that any steps to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be taken with thorough input from those in the hospitality industry."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has described the proposed smoking ban as a diversion tactic by Labour to shift attention away from their bleak austerity policies.

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She also noted that the desire for a smoke-free nation has been widely agreed upon for quite some time, emphasizing that the health and economic advantages would be significant.

Smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths annually and is estimated to cost England's NHS roughly £2.6 billion each year.

Health advocates have praised the new 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 beer garden areas, al fresco dining spots, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this poses a significant economic threat to hospitality venues. She noted that these establishments have made considerable investments in outdoor spaces in good faith, even as they continue to grapple with financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern, asking, "Are we approaching the threshold of becoming a nanny state? What will follow?"

"Although these actions are presumably taken for the sake of public health, there is a possibility that they could polarize public opinion and add more regulatory pressure on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs voiced opposition to the initiative, even though they had previously suggested 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 and vape. Our legislation aimed at creating a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind."

"However, we had no intention of prohibiting outdoor smoking among adults. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform chief Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "forever give up visiting pubs if they prohibited smoking outside."

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 outdoor spaces for smokers to prevent them from smoking inside.

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