Government 'to take action' on outdoor smoking restrictions, says Starmer
A ban on smoking in certain outside spaces in England could be on the way, with the pub industry worrying about the burden it will face, ITV News' Kelly Foran reports
"More details will be revealed soon" on reports smoking in pub gardens and other public outdoor spaces could be banned, the prime minister has said.
The government is considering introducing harsher restrictions to crack down on tobacco products under plans to be set out by ministers, Sir Keir Starmer has suggested.
Outdoor restaurants, areas outside nightclubs and pavements by universities and hospitals are some of the places which could be included under the plans, according to documents seen by The Sun.
Spaces outside football stadiums and small parks could also see a smoking ban.
Sir Keir, when asked if he is considering this, replied: "My starting point on this is to remind everybody that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking.
“That is a preventable death, it’s a huge burden on the NHS and, of course, it is a burden on the taxpayer.
“So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space.
"More details will be revealed but this is a preventable series of deaths and we’ve got to take action to reduce the burden on the NHS and the taxpayer.”
He added that it was important to “get the balance right” when asked whether new laws to reduce smoking would break his post-election pledge for politics to “tread more lightly” on voters’ lives.
“It is important to get the balance right, but everybody watching this who uses the NHS will know that it’s on its knees," the PM added.
“We have to relieve the burden and that’s why I spoke before the election about moving to a preventative model when it comes to health."
58% of British adults support ban, says YouGov poll
According to a YouGov poll, the majority of Britons surveyed support banning smoking in pub gardens and outdoor restaurants.
The poll, carried out today, found 58% of 3,715 British adults surveyed would either tend to support or strongly support it.
Just over a third (35%) said they would tend to oppose or strongly oppose the idea.
'Another nail in the coffin': Hospitality industry raises concerns
However, publicans and others working in the hospitality industry are concerned a ban would "drive away" customers and lead to closures.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, has urged the government "to reconsider this misguided restriction on pubs as social spaces."
She said: “It is deeply concerning and difficult to understand why Government would bring forward proposals that will be yet another blow to the viability of our nation’s vital community assets.
“We know from experience that this restriction would have a devastating impact for pubs who are already struggling with soaring energy prices and the staggering cost of doing business."
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Reem Ibrahim, acting director of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs thinktank, said: “Banning outdoor smoking would be another nail in the coffin for the pub industry...
“Pubs and other private venues should be able to determine their own outdoor smoking rules – just as they should be allowed to decide whether to play music, serve food or show football on TV.
“Smoking rates are already declining in the UK, in large part due to smokers switching to safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes.
“The government should look to countries like Sweden, which has attained the lowest prevalence of smoking in the world not by implementing nanny state measures like this proposal, but by allowing adults to choose safer and healthier products.”
Farage calls smokers 'heroes of the nation'
Nigel Farage has branded smokers the “heroes of the nation in terms of the amount of taxation they pay”, in response to a potential cigarettes ban outside pubs.
The Reform UK leader lit up a Benson and Hedges outside the Westminster Arms shortly before 6pm on Thursday, less than 400m from the Prime Minister’s official residence in Downing Street.
Taking questions at the pub, Mr Farage said: “You’ll notice very few people drink inside it, they drink outside it.
“Why? Because they’re allowed a smoke outside.
“I’ve been coming here for 30 years, regular basis, every week for 30 years.
“If the Government say that I can’t have a drink and a smoke outside, I won’t come back."
A look back at smoking laws
Under the last Labour government, smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces was made illegal across the UK in 2007.
According to Smokefree Action, in the year following the introduction of smoke-free laws there was a 2.4% reduction in hospital admissions for heart attacks in England, which saved the NHS £8.4 million in the first year alone.
The first year after the introduction of the indoor smoking ban, also saw a 12.3% reduction in hospital admissions for childhood asthma.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak announced plans for a smoke-free country through his proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill in 2023.
The Bill was dubbed the “greatest piece of public health legislation in a generation” and was progressing through Parliament when the General Election was called.
Charities and health experts were dismayed when the Bill was shelved as a result.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “The priority is to get the Bill back in Parliament and put on the statute book, to end smoking for the next generation and curb youth vaping.
“ASH would support the inclusion of powers to extend smoke-free laws outdoors, subject to consultation.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson earlier said: “We do not comment on leaks. Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions.
“We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking. We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”
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