Government Aims to Reduce Smoking with New Restrictions on Where People Can Smoke
The government is considering new measures to make it more likely that smokers will quit by reducing the number of places where smoking is allowed, according to Baroness Jacqui Smith.
Recent reports, first published by The Sun, suggest that the government is planning to ban smoking in certain outdoor areas, including restaurants and hospitals, as part of a broader effort to improve public health.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Thursday that the government is preparing to make decisions on smoking restrictions, with more details to be announced soon.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday, Baroness Smith, the education minister, explained, “Our aim is to encourage smokers to quit by increasing the age limit for buying tobacco, offering more support for those who want to stop, and reducing the number of places where smoking is permitted. By doing this, we hope to protect public health and alleviate the strain that smoking places on the NHS.”
Addressing concerns about the potential impact on the hospitality industry, Baroness Smith recalled the introduction of the indoor smoking ban during her previous time in government. “There was a lot of concern back then about how it would affect businesses,” she said. “But now, most people, including those in the hospitality industry, agree that our pubs and restaurants are much better without the smoke.”
The UK’s smoking ban in enclosed public spaces and workplaces was enacted in 2007 under the Labour government.
During a visit to Paris on Thursday, Sir Keir highlighted the significant health impact of smoking, noting that “over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking.” He emphasized the burden this places on the NHS and taxpayers, stating, “This is a preventable series of deaths, and we must take action to reduce this burden.”
However, some industry voices have expressed concerns about the potential economic impact of further restrictions. Reem Ibrahim, acting director of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, argued that banning outdoor smoking would be “another nail in the coffin for the pub industry.” She warned that the government’s own impact assessment indicated such a ban could lead to pub closures and job losses, and called for pubs and other private venues to set their own rules on outdoor smoking.
The idea of further restricting smoking has been gaining support. A recent YouGov poll found that 58% of British adults support banning smoking in pub gardens and outside restaurants, while 35% oppose the measure. The poll, conducted on August 29, surveyed 3,715 people.
Last year, former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which included plans to crack down on smoking. While the bill garnered cross-party support, it was shelved when the general election was called earlier this summer.