Lucy Powell Defends Proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban, Insists Not Targeting Hospitality Sector

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, has stated that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that making the country smoke-free would 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 ban on smoking in pub gardens is not an assault on the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell conveyed to Sky News on "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips" that the Labour Party aims to establish a "smoke-free country." She noted that any actions taken toward this goal will be implemented following consultations with potentially impacted businesses.

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The incoming administration has committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key anti-smoking legislation. Originally, the proposal aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger, indefinitely. However, this initiative was put on hold prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced intentions to potentially extend smoking bans to include outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the number of deaths caused by tobacco.

When questioned about the concerns that this decision might devastate the business sector, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are in fact supporters of it. It plays a crucial role in our communities, our local economies, and our high streets."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation, but I will emphasize that any steps to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be taken in thorough consultation with the hospitality industry."

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She mentioned that for quite some time, there has been a unanimous agreement on the desire to see a smoke-free nation, and the potential health and economic gains "would be immense".

Annually, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to burden the NHS in England with costs amounting to roughly £2.6 billion.

Health advocates have expressed support for the new proposals, but representatives from the hospitality industry 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 garden areas, al fresco dining spots, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain compact parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the leading executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this presents a significant risk of economic damage to hospitality establishments, which have heavily invested in outdoor areas in good faith and are still encountering financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed a pressing concern: "Are we approaching the edge of becoming a nanny state? What comes next?"

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

Several Conservative MPs have expressed their opposition to the plan, even though they have proposed measures to limit smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X: "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation aims to achieve this.

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

Reform chief Nigel Farage stated to a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if a ban on outdoor smoking were implemented."

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 has expressed their backing for the government's initiatives, emphasizing that providing designated outdoor spaces for smokers is crucial to deter them from smoking inside.

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