Lucy Powell Insists Outdoor Smoking Ban Aims to Benefit Public Health, Not Harm Hospitality Sector

Prohibition on outdoor smoking isn't targeting the hospitality sector, asserts Labour's parliamentary leader Lucy Powell.

Lucy Powell supported possible actions to eliminate smoking in outdoor pub areas, arguing that a smoke-free nation would positively impact both the economy and the NHS.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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

Lucy Powell spoke to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning, stating that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free country" and plans to implement policies toward this goal after consulting with potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, designed to prevent anyone aged 14 and younger from ever purchasing cigarettes. However, this initiative was put on hold prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that he might extend the smoking ban to include outdoor areas as well, in an effort to decrease the number of deaths caused by tobacco.

In response to concerns that this action might devastate commerce, Ms. Powell stated, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We stand behind the hospitality industry fully. It is crucial for our local communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the contents of upcoming legislation, but I will emphasize that any initiatives to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be fully discussed with stakeholders in the hospitality industry."

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She also mentioned that for quite some time, there has been a widespread agreement on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, noting 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 expressed support for the new proposals, but hospitality industry executives caution that these measures might severely impact their businesses, already strained by the pandemic and rising living costs.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might cover areas such as beer gardens, alfresco dining spots, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, commented, "This brings us to a vital issue: Are we nearing the point of being a nanny state? What comes after this?"

"While these actions might be motivated by valid health concerns, they also carry the potential to polarize views and add further regulatory constraints to companies already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs voiced opposition to the proposal, even though they had suggested measures to reduce smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting to smoke and vape. We crafted our smoke-free generation bill with that purpose in mind."

"However, our strategy did not include preventing adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage stated to a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if smoking outdoors were prohibited".

In 2007, the previous Labour administration implemented a prohibition on smoking within pubs 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 has expressed their backing for the government's initiatives, however, they emphasize the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to deter smokers from doing so indoors.

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