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Downing Street resists outdoor smoking ban amid industry pushback
Downing Street may block efforts to include an outdoor smoking ban in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, citing possible economic harm to pubs and restaurants. Despite internal government support for stronger anti-smoking measures, opposition from the hospitality sector has led to delays in publishing the bill. Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), expressed concerns about these setbacks, suggesting that outdoor restrictions would reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and help those quitting avoid relapse. Health advocates argue that swift action is necessary to meet the government’s goal of a smoke-free future.
Source: The Guardian, 25 October 2024
Editorial note: The 2007 indoor smoking ban was a much more radical change than what is being proposed now and did not have a major impact on hospitality businesses. Analysis carried out by Mark Easton in the BBC found that following the ban, the number of premises with licenses to sell alcohol in England and Wales actually went up rather than down. Additionally, more people went to the pub following the ban. Far from smoking outdoors not being a serious health problem, the evidence is clear: there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and repeated exposure, such as for those working in hospitality, will put non-smokers at greater risk of smoking related disease. See the ASH response below:
“Weakening the intention of the new legislation to protect people from secondhand smoke following lobbying by the hospitality industry would be a mistake. This is an important debate that should be held in public, not behind closed doors. With 66% of the public already in favour of this policy Government should get on and publish the legislation so we can have the public debate about the impact if smoking in hospitality settings and the steps needed to protect the workforce and protect other people from harm.
“Creating a smokefree country is good for business. Smoking is a key driver for poor health undermining public finances and productivity. When smokefree legislation came into force in 2007 licenced premises did not decline, they changed, with more places serving food. With half the rate of smoking in 2024 compared to then it is hard to see that an expansion of this popular and successful legislation will make a material difference to the hospitality trade. This is a trade which, in its own words, has grown faster than the rest of the economy since the introduction of the indoor smoking restrictions. It will continue to thrive in a world where those restrictions have been extended.”
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Growing youth smoking rates drive call for swift government action
New data from University College London, supported by Cancer Research UK, shows a sharp increase in young adults starting to smoke, with 35,000 aged 18 to 25 taking up the habit since July. This trend underscores calls from health advocates and the public to reintroduce the delayed Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would progressively raise the legal age for tobacco sales and bolster resources for smoking cessation services. Recent polls reveal strong public support for these preventive measures, and new legislation banning the sale of single use vapes from the 1st of June 2025 has been introduced to address youth vaping concerns. Government officials stress the urgency of these measures to achieve the UK’s goal of becoming smoke-free.
Nicholas Hopkinson, Chair of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), highlighted the urgency of reintroducing the delayed Tobacco and Vapes Bill to create a smoke-free generation, calling on the government to fund anti-smoking campaigns and cessation services. ASH advocates for a "polluter pays" levy on the tobacco industry to cover these costs, emphasising that swift legislative action is critical to curbing youth addiction and achieving a smokefree UK.
Source: The i, 25 October 2024
See also: ASH - 71% of adults support the PM’s ambition to stamp out smoking | Support for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill by Constituency Spring 2024
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Fresh and Balance: autumn budget call for action
Fresh and Balance are calling for decisive action to reverse harm from alcohol and tobacco in this year’s autumn budget. Fresh and Balance submitted evidence ahead of the Autumn Budget 2024 with a series of key asks, supporting the recommendations from Action on Smoking and Health and the Alcohol Health Alliance.
They join health leaders across the country calling on the Chancellor to use the budget as a way of improving the nation’s health while also plugging highly publicised gaps in the public purse.
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London: Smokefree Pregnancy Week 2024
The London Smokefree Pregnancy Week (#LDNSmokefreepreg), organised by the London Tobacco Alliance and Stop Smoking London, will run from 18-22 November. It is aimed both at pregnant smokers and healthcare professionals to raise awareness of the issue in London and to give support and signposting to advice. The campaign includes videos from senior health care professionals and a woman who gave up smoking whilst pregnant.
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Book Launch: ‘Joe and Julie Stop Smoking’
‘Joe and Julie Stop Smoking’, written by Keri-Michèle Lodge, Peter Marriott and Anne Hunt, is a story about housemates who both attempt to quit smoking in different ways. The story shows how healthcare staff, including smoking advisors, come together to help people quit smoking. The book shows how people can support one another to enjoy being smoke-free together.
The paperback version is available here and the e-book version is available here. The authors also have several other book sets, available here.
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.
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