Push for Smoke-Free Outdoors: Labour’s Lucy Powell Defends Proposed Smoking Ban in Pub Gardens Amid Hospitality Industry Concerns

Lucy Powell, the Labour Party's leader 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 ban on smoking in places like pub gardens could 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 emphasized that the government's proposed plans to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not aimed at undermining the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell conveyed to Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the Labour Party is aiming to establish a "smoke-free country." She noted that the strategies to accomplish this would be developed "in consultation" with potentially impacted businesses.

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The incoming administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after a certain year, ensuring they would never be able to purchase them legally. However, this plan was put on hold prior to the electoral process.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suggested he might extend prohibitions to include smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the tobacco-related preventable deaths.

In response to concerns that this decision might devastate businesses, Ms. Powell stated, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We stand behind the hospitality sector. It’s crucial for our local communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the content of upcoming bills, but I can assure you that any proposals to expand regulations on smoking will involve thorough discussions with those in the hospitality industry."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has criticized the proposed smoking ban, labeling it a distraction tactic by Labour to shift attention away from their pessimistic austerity policies.

A tweet by Esther McVey about smoking bans was called 'repugnant' by a Jewish organization.

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She mentioned that "a unanimous agreement has existed for quite some time that we aim for a smoke-free nation," and the advantages to health and economy "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 recent proposals, yet hospitality industry executives caution that these measures might deliver a devastating 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 gardens, al fresco dining areas, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the leading executive of UKHospitality, expressed concerns that this poses a significant threat of economic damage to hospitality establishments. She noted that these venues have made substantial investments in outdoor areas, believing in their benefits, yet they still confront ongoing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, expressed concern, asking, "Are we nearing a shift toward a nanny state? What comes next?"

"While such steps are likely taken with public health in mind, they have the potential to polarize views and add extra regulatory demands on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed their opposition to the initiative, even though they have suggested measures to reduce smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, stating, "Our goal is to shield our youth from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind."

"However, our agenda did not include prohibiting outdoor smoking among adults. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform party chief Nigel Farage declared 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 bars and 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% decrease in admissions for childhood asthma within one year.

ASH has expressed support for the government's initiatives, emphasizing the need for designated outdoor spaces for smokers to help discourage indoor smoking.

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