Smoke-Free Future: Labour Insists Outdoor Smoking Ban Aids Health and Economy, Not an Attack on Hospitality

Lucy Powell, the leader for Labour in the Commons, strongly supports prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs, arguing that a smoke-free nation would positively impact the economy and public health services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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

Lucy Powell spoke on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, expressing Labour's goal to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any steps taken towards this goal would be carried out in coordination with businesses that might be impacted.

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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 purchasing cigarettes in the future. However, this proposal was set aside prior to the elections.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that he might extend prohibitions to include smoking at outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the number of deaths that result from tobacco use.

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

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislation, but I will emphasize that any initiatives to broaden the scope of smoking-related regulations will involve thorough discussions with stakeholders in the hospitality sector."

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

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

Health advocates have praised the new proposals, but figures in the hospitality industry 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 cover areas such as beer garden sections of pubs, outdoor dining areas, external sections of sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, warned that this situation could severely damage the economic health of hospitality venues. She highlighted that these venues have made substantial investments in outdoor areas and are still dealing with financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, posed a significant query: "Are we on the verge of turning into a nanny state? What comes next?"

"Although these actions are likely taken with the public's health in mind, they could potentially polarize views and place additional regulatory demands on businesses that are already dealing with significant hurdles."

Several Tory MPs have expressed opposition to the strategy, even though they have suggested their own measures to restrict smoking among the youth. Shadow Health Secretary Victoria Atkins shared on X, saying, "Our goal is to shield our children from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation aims to achieve this.

"However, our agenda did not include preventing adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's actions are jeopardizing our hospitality industry in the process."

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

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), within one year there was a 2.4% decrease in hospital admissions for heart attacks and a 12.3% decrease in hospital admissions for childhood asthma.

ASH has expressed support for the government's initiatives, emphasizing the necessity of providing designated outdoor areas for smokers to prevent them from smoking inside buildings.

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