Lucy Powell Defends Outdoor Smoking Ban Plans, Asserts No Harm to Hospitality Industry

Lucy Powell, the Labour Party's leader in the Commons, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to undermine the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a smoke-free environment could positively impact both the economy and health services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024 11:05

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A cabinet minister has asserted that the government's proposed plans to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not aimed at undermining the hospitality sector.

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

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The incoming administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, which aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after a certain year, effectively preventing those 14 and younger from ever purchasing them. However, this proposal was set aside prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the possibility of extending the smoking ban to include outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about concerns that this action might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We back the hospitality sector completely because it is essential for our communities, our high streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I will emphasize that any steps to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be thoroughly discussed with those in the hospitality industry."

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

Annually, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to incur costs of about £2.6 billion for England's NHS.

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but hospitality industry executives caution that this could be the last straw after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might encompass outdoor areas of pubs and restaurants, external sections of sports arenas, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, warned that there is a significant risk of economic damage to hospitality establishments, which have made considerable investments in outdoor areas in good faith and are still experiencing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, chief of the Night Time Industries Association, questioned, "This brings us to an essential inquiry: Are we approaching the edge of transforming into a nanny state? What comes after this?"

"While these actions might be motivated by legitimate health concerns, they could create controversy and add more regulatory responsibilities to companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs expressed opposition to the initiative, even though they had suggested their own measures to reduce smoking among the youth. Victoria Atkins, the shadow health secretary, shared on X, "We aim to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind."

"However, we never intended to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. Yet, Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform Party, expressed to a newspaper that he would stop visiting pubs altogether if they banned smoking outdoors.

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

ASH endorses the government's initiatives, yet they emphasize the necessity for designated outdoor areas for smokers to prevent indoor smoking.

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