Politics
Lucy Powell Defends Proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban, Asserts No Threat to Hospitality Industry
Lucy Powell, the leader of the Labour Party in the Commons, has emphasized that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a smoking ban in these settings could positively impact both the economy and health services.
Political correspondent @fayebrownSky
Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:
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A cabinet minister has emphasized 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 is aiming to establish a "smoke-free country," and plans to implement this will involve 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 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 prohibitions to include smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the mortality rate associated with tobacco use.
When questioned on the claim that such an action might devastate companies, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We stand behind it fully. It plays a crucial role in our communities, our main 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 involve thorough discussions with the hospitality sector."
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She also mentioned that there has been a longstanding agreement on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, noting that the health and economic advantages would be significant.
Every year, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to cost England's NHS roughly £2.6 billion annually.
Health advocates have expressed support for the recent proposals, however, top figures in the hospitality industry caution that these measures may severely harm businesses already struggling due to the pandemic and rising living costs.
Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to beer garden areas, alfresco dining spots, open-air sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.
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Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this poses a significant economic threat to hospitality venues. She noted that these businesses have made substantial investments in outdoor spaces in good faith and are still dealing with financial difficulties.
Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, commented, "This brings up a crucial issue: Are we on the verge of turning into a nanny state? What will happen now?"
"Although these actions are presumably taken with public health interests in mind, they threaten to polarize views and add additional regulatory pressures on companies that are already dealing with significant obstacles."
Several Tory MPs have voiced opposition to the initiative, even though they have suggested their own measures to discourage 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."
"Our intention was never to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. However, Labour's actions could potentially jeopardize our hospitality industry."
Reform party chief Nigel Farage informed a publication that he would "forever give up pub visits if outdoor smoking were prohibited."
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 decrease of 2.4% in hospital admissions for heart attacks and a 12.3% drop in hospital admissions for childhood asthma within one year.
ASH endorses the government's initiatives, yet emphasizes the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking among tobacco users.
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