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

Lucy Powell, the Leader of the House of Commons for the Labour Party, has asserted that prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of pubs is not meant to harm the hospitality sector. She argues that implementing a smoking ban in such spaces could positively impact both the economy and health services.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has asserted that the government's proposed plans to prohibit smoking in pub gardens are not intended to target the hospitality sector.

Lucy Powell spoke to Sky News on Trevor Phillips' Sunday Morning program, expressing Labour's intention to establish a "smoke-free country." She emphasized that any actions taken towards this goal will involve discussions with the businesses that might be impacted.

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The recently formed administration has committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, which aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to anyone aged 14 or younger for life, although it was postponed prior to the election.

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 are preventable and associated with tobacco consumption.

In response to concerns that this decision might devastate commerce, Ms. Powell stated, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind the hospitality industry fully. It plays a crucial role in our communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specific contents of upcoming legislation. However, I can confirm that any initiatives to broaden regulations concerning smoking will be developed in thorough consultation with the hospitality sector."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has criticized the proposed smoking ban, labeling it a distraction meant to shift attention away from Labour's grim austerity narrative.

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She noted that "for quite some time, there's been a unanimous agreement on achieving a smoke-free nation," and emphasized that the health and economic advantages "would be significant."

Smoking is responsible for approximately 80,000 deaths annually and is estimated to cost England's NHS around £2.6 billion each year.

Health advocates have praised the recent proposals, 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 cover areas such as beer gardens, al fresco dining spots, outdoor sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and certain smaller parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the CEO of UKHospitality, commented that this poses a risk of considerable economic damage to hospitality establishments, which have "made substantial investments in outdoor areas in good faith and are still dealing with financial hardships."

Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, stated: "This brings up an essential issue: Are we approaching a nanny state? What will happen now?

"While these actions are likely motivated by concerns for public health, they could potentially polarize views and place an additional regulatory strain on businesses that are already dealing with significant hardships."

Several Conservative MPs have expressed opposition to the proposal, 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 kids from starting smoking and vaping. Our legislation aimed at creating a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind."

"However, we never intended to prohibit adults from smoking outdoors. Labour's approach is endangering our hospitality industry in doing so."

Reform party head Nigel Farage informed a newspaper that he would "stop visiting pubs altogether if they banned 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), 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 for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking.

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