Push for Smoke-Free Future: Lucy Powell Defends Proposed Outdoor Smoking Ban Amid Hospitality Industry Concerns

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 nationwide smoking ban, including in pub gardens, would be advantageous for both the economy and the National Health Service.

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Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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

On Sky News' "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips," Lucy Powell expressed Labour's aim to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any steps taken towards this goal would involve discussions with potentially impacted businesses.

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

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced potential plans to extend smoking restrictions to include outdoor venues, aiming to decrease the preventable fatalities associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about the criticism that this decision might "destroy business," Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are supporters of it. It plays a crucial role in our communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won’t speculate on the contents of potential upcoming laws, but I will emphasize that any actions to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be fully discussed with those in the hospitality industry."

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

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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.

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 recent initiatives, but hospitality industry executives caution that these measures might deliver a devastating blow to businesses already struggling from the pandemic and rising costs of living.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to various outdoor areas including beer gardens, alfresco dining spots, external sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this poses a significant economic threat to hospitality establishments, which have heavily invested in outdoor spaces in good faith and are still experiencing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, commented, "This brings us to an essential inquiry: Are we verging on turning into a nanny state? What will follow?"

"While these initiatives are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they could potentially polarize views and add more regulatory pressure on businesses that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed opposition to the initiative, although their own measures aimed at reducing smoking among the youth were similar, with shadow health secretary Victoria Atkins stating on X: "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting smoking and vaping. We crafted our smoke-free generation bill with this purpose in mind.

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

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "forever avoid pubs if they prohibited smoking outdoors".

In 2007, the previous Labour government 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 support for the government's plans, emphasizing the need for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking among tobacco users.

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