Smoke-Free Future: Government’s Outdoor Smoking Ban Aims to Safeguard Public Health, Not Harm Hospitality, Insists Lucy Powell

Lucy Powell, the leader of the Labour Party in the Commons, has argued that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She supports the idea of making pub gardens smoke-free, asserting that it would promote public health and economic gains, as well as help the NHS.

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Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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

Lucy Powell spoke on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, stating that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free country." She noted that any steps taken towards this goal will involve discussions with businesses that might be impacted.

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The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak’s key tobacco legislation, which aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to individuals aged 14 and younger for their entire lives. However, this proposal was put on hold prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that measures against smoking could be intensified, including a potential prohibition of smoking in outdoor venues, in an effort to lower the toll of preventable deaths associated with tobacco consumption.

In response to concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell stated, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We endorse it because it plays a crucial role in our communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation. However, I can confirm that any actions taken to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be fully discussed with stakeholders in the hospitality sector."

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Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, has criticized the proposed smoking ban, labeling it a diversion tactic to shift attention away from Labour's bleak economic policies.

A Jewish organization has described Esther McVey's tweet about a smoking ban as 'repugnant'.

She also noted that there has been widespread agreement for quite some time on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, emphasizing that the health and economic advantages would be significant.

Annual smoking-related deaths in England reach approximately 80,000, with the habit costing the National Health Service roughly £2.6 billion each year.

Health advocates have expressed support for the new proposals, but key figures in the hospitality industry caution that these measures might severely impact their businesses, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living increases.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might encompass areas such as pub gardens, al fresco dining spots, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, warned that this poses a significant economic threat to hospitality establishments, which have all made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith and are still experiencing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, commented, "This prompts a crucial inquiry: Are we nearing the threshold of a nanny state? What comes after this?

"While these actions might be motivated by legitimate health concerns, they could potentially polarize public opinion and add more regulatory constraints to companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Tory MPs have voiced opposition to the initiative, despite backing measures to prevent 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, our agenda did not include prohibiting outdoor smoking for adults. Labour's approach is jeopardizing our hospitality industry."

Reform party head Nigel Farage stated in an interview with a newspaper that he would "never visit a pub again if they prohibited smoking outdoors."

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 support for the government's initiatives, emphasizing however the necessity of providing designated outdoor areas for smokers to ensure they do not resort to smoking inside.

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