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

Lucy Powell, leader for Labour in the Commons, has emphasized that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argued that a nationwide smoking ban would positively impact both the economy and healthcare services.

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Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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

Lucy Powell spoke to Trevor Phillips on Sky News' Sunday Morning, expressing Labour's aim to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any actions taken would be in collaboration with the potentially impacted businesses.

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The recently formed administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's major tobacco legislation, designed to prevent individuals aged 14 and younger from ever purchasing cigarettes. However, this initiative was put on hold prior to the election.

This week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the possibility of extending smoking bans to outdoor venues as well, aiming to decrease the preventable deaths associated with tobacco usage.

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

"I won't speculate on the specifics of potential future laws, but I want to emphasize that any steps taken 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 criticized the proposed smoking ban, describing it as a distraction designed to shift attention away from Labour's bleak austerity narrative.

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

Smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths annually and is estimated to cost the NHS in England roughly £2.6 billion each year.

Health advocates have embraced the new proposals, but figures from the hospitality industry caution that these measures might severely impact businesses already struggling from the pandemic and rising living costs.

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

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

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed a significant concern: "Are we nearing the edge of becoming a nanny state? What will follow?"

"While the intent behind these actions is likely rooted in public health concerns, there's a potential they could polarize viewpoints and add more regulatory constraints to companies that are already dealing with significant difficulties."

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

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

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed 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 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 its backing for the government's initiatives, yet highlights the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to deter smokers from doing so indoors.

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