UK CONSIDERS BANNING OUTDOOR SMOKING IN PUBS AND GARDENS

Sat 31 August 2024:

The Keir Starmer-led UK government is contemplating stricter rules on outdoor smoking as part of an effort to eliminate tobacco use. These new rules might include banning smoking in places like pub gardens, outdoor dining areas, near hospitals and sports venues, as reported by BBC.

These new restrictions are expected to be a more stringent version of the previous government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which was shelved before the last election.

The King’s Speech during the recent state opening of Parliament hinted at reviving this legislation, which would have prohibited tobacco sales to anyone born on or after January 2009.

It is uncertain if the outdoor smoking ban, as reported by the Sun, would be implemented across the entire UK or just in England. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care told the BBC, “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.”

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How did the opposition react to this news?

On the other hand, the Conservative opposition, including potential leadership candidates, have criticised these proposals as excessive regulation. Former home office minister Robert Jenrick voiced his concern on social media, stating, “The last thing this country needs is thousands more pubs closing.”

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, also condemned the proposals, calling them “government overreach on a scale that is utterly ridiculous.” He warned that such measures could spell the end of pubs. “Frankly, if they do this, it will be the death knell of the pub,” he told BBC.

Smoking was responsible for an estimated 74,600 deaths in 2019, according to the most recent data from NHS England. In 2022-23, there were 408,700 hospital admissions in England related to smoking.

What were Rishi Sunak’s plans for a smoke-free generation?

During his time as prime minister, Rishi Sunak outlined plans to create a “smoke-free generation” and decrease smoking-related deaths. However, his Tobacco and Vapes Bill was abandoned after he called a general election in May. If passed, it would have made it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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