Labour U-turn as plans to ban smoking in pub gardens are scrapped | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Pubs and bars have welcomed information that Wes Streeting has formally u-turned on plans to ban smoking in pub gardens, a transfer they warned would hammer hospitality.

The Government will introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to parliament right now [TUES]a landmark piece of laws that may section out the sale of tobacco merchandise to anybody aged 15 or below, which means they may by no means have the ability to buy cigarettes.

The Department for Health will even be given new powers to increase the indoor smoking ban to particular outside areas together with kids’s playgrounds, outdoors faculties and hospitals being thought-about.

However floated plans to additionally ban smoking from pub gardens and bar terraces have formally dropped, based on the division.

Hospitality house owners had warned that the transfer would show yet one more hammer blow to the already struggling sector, with libertarians blasting the proposed assault on particular person freedom.

Responding to the u-turn, UK Hospitality welcomed the choice to not pile on additional prices to companies after the Budget.

Chief govt Kate Nicholls stated: “The rumoured ban on smoking in outdoor areas understandably caused angst amongst hospitality businesses, who were concerned that it would impact trade and undermine their investments in creating outdoor spaces for customers.”

“While we’re yet to see the detail, this initial confirmation that hospitality won’t be included is positive. Now is not the time for further cost to be added to businesses and we’re pleased the Government has listened to and acted on the sector’s concerns.”

However the deliberate crackdown on smoking outside in sure specified areas was nonetheless involved by the freedom-loving Institute for Economic Affairs, who described it as a “sop to Chris Whitty” that “cannot be justified on health grounds and makes no sense whatsoever. Our liberties are being eroded at random.”

The Tobacco and Vapes invoice was initially launched by Rishi Sunak’s authorities, however he didn’t go it earlier than the election regardless of cross-party help.

As effectively as a ban on the sale of cigarettes it additionally introduces an enormous crackdown on vaping, together with a ban on vape promoting and sponsorship.

It will even enable the Government ban the flavours and packaging of all vapes, which it claims are intentionally focused at kids.

According to Government statistics, on in 4 11-15-year-olds tried vaping in 2023.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting stated: “Unless we act to help people stay healthy, the rising tide of ill-health in our society threatens to overwhelm and bankrupt our NHS. Prevention is better than cure.”

“This government is taking bold action to create the first smoke free generation, clamp down on kids getting hooked on nicotine through vapes, and protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of secondhand smoke.

“This historic legislation will save thousands of lives and protect the NHS. By building a healthy society, we will also help to build a healthy economy, with fewer people off work sick.”