Government Considering Stricter Outdoor Smoking Rules to Reduce Preventable Deaths

[cressida]

I gave up in 1991 and feel better for it,  will the ban make a difference in helping you give up,  save you money?

[cressida]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=government+ban+smoking+in+public+places&sca_esv=fd22ee208580ad9b&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ADLYWII4GQ8rVJpgnJTkB3GvuMI364u3hw%3A1724922596812&source=hp&ei=

[Mister M]

I've been stopped for about 7 months, and to be honest the smell doesn't particularly bother me. Yes it's unpleasant, but then so are many of the perfumes or B.O. that many people smell of.

I was listening to the radio last night and a health economist was saying that about 13% of people smoke in the U.K, and getting many more people to stop will save the NHS a fortune. 

In terms of pubs, I'd much prefer an emphasis on safe drinking, and basic social skills for some people who either can't hold their drink, or think that being obnoxious is all part of a 'good night out'.

I do feel sorry for smokers as they are such a picked on bunch, while others such as obnoxious and nuisance drinkers seem to get a free pass. 

[crookesey]

I was still working in 2007 and there was no way that I was going to be treat like a leper, therefore I stopped and quite honestly found it far easier than I’d imagined. I can’t recall how I felt, other than wealthier. 

[cressida]

Having been a smoker I have more empathy for smokers as it's not easy to give up something you enjoy,  I didn't like smoking in the presence of my children and the yellowing ceiling in the lounge wasn't nice.

[YorkieontheTyne]

53 minutes ago, Mister M said:

I've been stopped for about 7 months, and to be honest the smell doesn't particularly bother me. Yes it's unpleasant, but then so are many of the perfumes or B.O. that many people smell of.

I was listening to the radio last night and a health economist was saying that about 13% of people smoke in the U.K, and getting many more people to stop will save the NHS a fortune. 

In terms of pubs, I'd much prefer an emphasis on safe drinking, and basic social skills for some people who either can't hold their drink, or think that being obnoxious is all part of a 'good night out'.

I do feel sorry for smokers as they are such a picked on bunch, while others such as obnoxious and nuisance drinkers seem to get a free pass. 

Spot on there Mister M, however I think your “emphasis on safe drinking and basic social skills” ain’t gonna happen. It needs to, and how, but the rot has set in on basic social skills during childhood these days, and by the time they’re able to go to the boozer it’s far too late I’m afraid.

The thing is, people are accustomed these days to the smokers corner in the pub garden, and keep clear accordingly. 
IF this ban comes in I see more people staying away and some pubs will struggle to remain viable.

[cressida]

Pubs put up a lot of outdoor enclosures, and outdoor heaters - at one time I relied on herbal cigarettes but I think they went off the market,  Holland & Barrett sold them.

[alchresearch]

Starmer continuing to go after the easy targets. How about enforcing bans that are already in place?  Like drugs, knives etc?

 

 

[alchresearch]

And when the tax revenue is down?  Like to see him blame the Tories for that "black hole"

[SheffieldForum]

Some context to the thread:

Government Considering Stricter Outdoor Smoking Rules to Reduce Preventable Deaths

Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government is exploring tougher rules on outdoor smoking to reduce the number of preventable deaths linked to tobacco use. Responding to reports that smoking could be banned in some outdoor spaces, the Prime Minister stated, "We have got to take action" to ease the burden it places on the NHS.

 

Under the new proposals, smoking could be prohibited in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and outside hospitals and sports grounds. Health experts have welcomed these plans. However, the BBC has learned that some ministers have raised concerns about the potential impact on the hospitality sector.

 

When questioned about the proposals, Sir Keir indicated that the government would "take decisions in this space," with further details to be announced. He emphasised the importance of striking the right balance, noting that smoking causes 80,000 early deaths annually. "Everybody watching this who uses the NHS will know that it’s on its knees," he said.

 

In the King's Speech at the state opening of Parliament last month, the government promised to reintroduce previous legislation that would ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 2009.

Mixed Reactions from the Hospitality Industry

Hospitality leaders have expressed concerns about the economic impact of any potential smoking ban. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, urged the government to carefully consider the implications before introducing measures that could harm businesses and jobs. Similarly, Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, warned that the plans could impose "yet another regulatory burden on businesses already facing considerable challenges."

Support from Health Professionals

On the other hand, health professionals have strongly supported the proposals. Dr Layla McCay of the NHS Confederation said she was "heartened" by the progress towards abolishing smoking. She acknowledged the need for difficult decisions but stressed that these steps are part of a broader journey towards a smoke-free future for Britain. Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), added that the government is "catching up with what the public expects" by moving to ban smoking in places like children's play areas and outdoor seating at pubs and restaurants. However, she emphasised the importance of ensuring that outdoor areas remain available for smokers.

Opposition and Criticism

The proposed regulations have faced criticism from Conservative figures and other political leaders. Priti Patel, the former Home Secretary, described the plans as "nanny state regulation" that would be "economically damaging." Former Home Office Minister Robert Jenrick took to social media to express his concern that the ban could lead to the closure of more pubs. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the proposals "government overreach on a scale that is utterly ridiculous" and warned that they could signal "the death knell of the pub."

The Road to a Smoke-Free Future

According to NHS England, smoking caused an estimated 74,600 deaths in 2019. In 2022-23, there were 408,700 hospital admissions in England due to smoking. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that about 12.9% of people aged 18 and over in the UK, or around 6.4 million people, smoked cigarettes in 2022. This is the lowest proportion of smokers since records began in 2011.

 

The Labour government has adopted the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which was initially introduced by Rishi Sunak during his time as Prime Minister. The bill, which had been shelved due to the general election in May, aims to create a "smoke-free generation" by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009. The current government has included this bill in its agenda as it continues to explore measures to reduce smoking-related deaths.