Smoke-Free Future: Labour’s Lucy Powell Defends Outdoor Smoking Ban Amid Hospitality Industry Concerns

Lucy Powell, the leader of Labour in the Commons, asserts that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of bars and restaurants is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that implementing a ban on smoking in areas like pub gardens could positively impact both the economy and healthcare 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 intended to target the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning, stating that the Labour Party aims to establish a "smoke-free country." She noted that the implementation of policies to reach this goal would be conducted "in consultation" 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 14 or younger from purchasing cigarettes in the future, though it was put on hold prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer indicated that his efforts might extend to prohibiting smoking in open-air spaces as well, with the aim of decreasing the number of deaths attributable to tobacco consumption.

When questioned about the concerns that this decision might be detrimental to businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We stand behind the hospitality industry because it is essential 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 steps taken to broaden regulations on smoking will be fully discussed with those in the hospitality industry."

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

A tweet by Esther McVey about a smoking ban was described as 'repugnant' by a Jewish organization.

She also mentioned that there has been a long-standing agreement on the goal of achieving a smoke-free nation, which would bring significant health and economic advantages.

Annually, smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths and is estimated to burden the NHS in England with costs of about £2.6 billion.

Health advocates have praised the new initiatives, but hospitality industry executives caution that these could severely harm businesses already struggling from the pandemic and rising living costs.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might extend to beer gardens, al fresco dining areas, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain small parks.

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

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed the question: "Are we edging closer to becoming a nanny state? What will happen next?

"Although these actions are probably motivated by concerns for public health, they could potentially polarize views and place additional regulatory demands on companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

Several Conservative Members of Parliament voiced their opposition to the strategy, although they had suggested their own measures to reduce 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 was crafted with this purpose in mind.

"Our intention was never to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. However, Labour's current approach could jeopardize our hospitality industry."

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 bars 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 endorsement of the government's initiatives, emphasizing the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking among smokers.

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