Smoke-Free Nation: Labour Defends Outdoor Smoking Ban as Economic Boost, Not Hospitality Blow

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 undermine the hospitality sector. She argued that making the nation smoke-free would not only boost the economy but also help the National Health Service.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Sunday, September 1, 2024, 11:

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A cabinet minister has emphasized 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, stating that Labour aims to establish a "smoke-free country." She added that steps toward this goal would be taken in collaboration with potentially impacted businesses.

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The incoming administration had committed to reviving Rishi Sunak's key tobacco legislation, aimed at prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to anyone aged 14 and younger, although this proposal was put on hold 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 preventable fatalities associated with tobacco consumption.

When questioned about concerns that this decision might harm businesses, Ms. Powell responded, "We are definitely not targeting the hospitality sector. We are behind the hospitality industry. It is crucial for our local communities, our main streets, and our economy."

"I won't speculate on the specifics of upcoming legislative proposals, but I will emphasize that any initiatives to expand regulations concerning smoking will involve thorough consultations with stakeholders in the hospitality industry."

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has described the proposed smoking ban as a distraction tactic by Labour to shift attention away from their bleak austerity measures.

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She mentioned that for quite some time, there has been a unified agreement on achieving a smoke-free nation, and the advantages to health and economy from this would be substantial.

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

Health advocates have expressed support for the recent proposals, but key figures in the hospitality industry caution that these measures could severely impact their businesses, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic and rising living costs.

Sir Keir mentioned that the prohibition might encompass areas such as beer garden patios, al fresco dining spots, external areas of sports facilities, hospitals, nightclubs, and select small parks.

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Kate Nicholls, the head of UKHospitality, warned that there is a risk of substantial economic damage to hospitality businesses, which have made considerable investments in outdoor areas and are still experiencing financial difficulties.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, posed a pressing inquiry: "Are we nearing the edge of turning into a nanny state? What comes after this?"

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

Several Conservative MPs have voiced their objections 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, stating: "Our goal is to shield our kids from starting to smoke and vape. Our legislation for a smoke-free generation was crafted with this purpose in mind.

"Our intention was never to prevent adults from smoking outdoors. Yet, Labour's actions could potentially jeopardize our hospitality industry."

Reform leader Nigel Farage informed 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 various other indoor public areas.

Action on Smoking Health (ASH) reported that 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 endorses the government's plans, yet emphasizes the necessity for designated outdoor smoking areas to discourage indoor smoking among tobacco users.

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