The UK government has announced a new measure to ban smoking outside schools and hospitals, aiming to reduce the country’s leading cause of cancer. However, plans to prohibit smoking outside pubs, cafes, and restaurants have been dropped, leading some health advocates to question whether lobbying influenced the decision.
The proposed legislation, set to be introduced in Parliament this week, is part of a larger strategy to gradually eliminate smoking in the UK by raising the legal smoking age by one year every year. The bill also includes measures to curb the rise in vaping among young people by restricting vape flavours, packaging, and advertising.
While the hospitality sector welcomed the decision to exempt outdoor areas of pubs and cafes, citing concerns about potential closures and job losses, health campaigners expressed disappointment. Caroline Cerny from Action on Smoking and Health argued that more protections are needed, especially in public spaces where workers and visitors are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Public health officials, including England’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Chris Whitty, have long advocated for tougher outdoor smoking restrictions, highlighting the dangers of secondhand smoke, particularly to children and vulnerable groups. Whitty emphasized that creating smoke-free outdoor areas could significantly reduce cases of cancer, asthma, and heart disease.
The new legislation, including a possible public consultation on smoking in outdoor spaces, marks the most significant anti-smoking effort since the indoor smoking ban was introduced in 2007.
For more latest news and update visit UK Profits
