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UK PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has said the British government will “take decisions” on a potential outdoor smoking ban in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressures on the NHS.
The Sun newspaper reported earlier today that leaked proposals showed the UK government is set to ban smoking in some outdoor areas to improve public health.
The indoor smoking ban could be extended to cover other locations including small parks, outdoor restaurants and hospitals.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Starmer said the government intends to “take decisions” on the matter and that the strained NHS needs to be “relieved” of pressure due to preventable deaths.
“My starting point on this is to remind everyone that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. That’s a preventable death,” Starmer said.
“It’s a huge burden on the NHS, and, of course, it’s a burden on the taxpayer, so yes, we are going to take decisions in this space,” he said, continuing: “More details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths and we’ve got to take the action to reduce the burden on the NHS and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.”
Starmer said that the NHS is “on its knees” and that: “We have to relieve the burden, and that’s why I spoke before the election about moving to a preventative model when it comes to health.”
In 2007, under the last Labour government, smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces was made illegal across the UK.
According to health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), in the year following the introduction of smoke-free laws, there was a 2.4% reduction in hospital admissions for heart attacks in England, saving the NHS £8.4 million in the first year alone.
The first year after the introduction of the indoor smoking ban also saw a 12.3% reduction in hospital admissions for childhood asthma, equivalent to 6,803 fewer admissions over three years.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak had announced plans to crack down on smoking through his flagship Tobacco and Vapes Bill last year.
The bill – dubbed the “greatest piece of public health legislation in a generation” – had earned wide cross-party support and was progressing through Parliament when the general election was called.
Charities and health experts were dismayed when the bill was shelved as a result.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, said: “The priority is to get the Bill back in Parliament and put on the statute book, to end smoking for the next generation and curb youth vaping.
“ASH would support the inclusion of powers to extend smoke-free laws outdoors, subject to consultation.”
She added: “However, it’s also important to ensure that there are still outdoor areas where people who smoke can smoke in the open air, rather than inside their homes.”
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Uk you have a lot more important matters to focus on rather than someone accidentally being subjected to passive smoke outside for a short while.
I don’t smoke
I never have but I think this ban is a step too far. This ban will destroy many pubs. Smokers go outside
So where is the problem?. Nanny state
@Patricia Mc namara: The smoking ban didn’t destroy the pubs back then and this won’t do either.
@Wolfgang Bonow: absolutely, when smokers go to the pub to buy drink, they should not be allowed to go outside for a cigarette, they can wait until they go home, a full comprehensive ban is the way forward
@Wolfgang Bonow: different time, country was awash with fake money, nobody cared, try enforcing more restrictions like indoor vape ban and outdoor smoke ban on a struggling bar owner and the reaction will be completely different
Really?? You think that’s going to stop people smoking ffs??
@Cormo R: People said that too about the indoor one !
@Cormo R: The only way to control people is to divide them and remove their rights!!! It’s happening all over the world…
@BrennJam: Smoking bans are about protecting people’s right to clean air.
@Brendan O’Brien: really now, are you a shill for all the totalitarian governments around the world?
This has nothing to do with ‘people’s right to clean air’ : this is to do with control.
Starmer is a WEF puppet. When asked on live TV : “Westminster or Davos?” he didn’t hesitate for a split second with the response: “Davos” (which is high treason)
Now Brendan, we a know you are a shill so just stop.
@Jim: People are entitled to have different opinions to yours and to express them, believe it or not.
@Brendan O’Brien: @Brendan O’Brien: very true, even if those ‘opinions: are to push an agenda.
The original ban was for indoor smoking which had studies done about the affect on people’s health. This is outdoor smoking in designated areas. Maybe you think it will cause more ‘Climate Change’ which is the link you’re trying to make (badly)
The difference between you and me is that I am objectively looking at what’s happening in the UK.
If Two Tier Keir cared anything for people’s health he wouldn’t be flooding the country with criminals : how any murders & stabbings in the UK over the last 90 days (you probably don’t know, I do).
If Two Tier Keir cared for people’s health he would find the £20m required to allow pensioners heat themselves this winter and not be sending £20bn over to perpetuate the proxy war in Ukraine.
So, you stick. With your ‘opinion’ & I’ll stick with the facts. If the facts hurt your feelings you need new feelings not new facts.
@Jim: And *I’m* the one ‘pushing an agenda? LOL etc.
@Brendan O’Brien: yes, yes you are.
Again, facts Benny boy, facts
@Jim: lol. Easy on the tinfoil dude.
@Alan Leahy: what does that mean, exactly.
What about my post is not factual?
See, tropes like that are thrown out by people who are too embarrassed to admit they were conned into believing something that isn’t true.
When they are presented with facts, they are so indoctrinated they have no argument besides the propaganda they have been fed & spout the same old tropes. Why? Fear. Good times breed weak men. Both you and Benny boy are the personification of weakness.
@Jim: Baaaaaahaha. Cool story Jim. What’s your views on covid vaccinations, chemtrails and/or the great replacement.
Do you have a blog or podcast I can subscribe to?
Leave it out
If every smoker in the UK gave it up on Monday morning coming, the black hole in the health budget would bring the entire system down around Starmer’s ears in a very short period of time. Having to replace that income stream from smokers would result in a tax increase of 10p in every pound earned for every worker in the UK, smoker or not. The amount received in tax from tobacco in the UK pays for those who end up needing treatment on account of tobacco. So money saved by not having to treat smokers will be significantly less than the income stream through tobacco taxes. If concern for people’s health drove politicians, tobacco and tobacco products would have been banned a long time ago.
@Antaine (aolbfs): On the other hand, a policy such as he has proposed, which will result in a reduction in numbers smoking but not overnight, will not create any black hole and will take a lot of pressure off the health service within a small number of years.
@Antaine (aolbfs): You think that 10% of the UKs entire tax take comes from smokers?
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: It’s actually 0.8%. And, to turn Antaine’s argument around, a lot of money would be saved by not having to treat smoking-related illnesses. Also a lot of people would be healthier and would live longer.
https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/tax-by-tax-spend-by-spend/tobacco-duties/
@Brendan O’Brien: and by living longer would that not in turn lead to expense re state pension, healthcare etc
@Antaine (aolbfs): Tobacco is about 1% of their total tax take.
https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2023/12/01/uk-taxes-paid-by-type-2022-23/
He’s starting to live up to his new nickname. Kier Stalin.
@David S: I can’t see it catching on except in very limited circles.
Can he fupp in ban machetes please.
Non smoker but this is a terrible plan – People will
Stay home and smoke more
I worked in the theatres in St James’s Hospital and observed that removing cancerous lungs is no easy matter. The rib cage makes it difficult especially with female patients as going through the back to avoid disfiguring was another difficulty. When I observe young women smoking I literally feel upset. But it’s a free country.
Pressure on the NHS. When a doctor prescribes paracetamol to a patient, it costs 5 times more for it than if the patient bought it in the supermarket. There are drawers all over the UK full of paracetamol. It has cost the tax payer 100 million a year to fill those drawers. But just ignore that.
That’ll be the end of them.
So out of touch with reality.
Come now
Only right, smoking should be banned everywhere, alcohol should also be banned, a mineral bar should be enough for people
The s*n? Oh well it must be true!
Over consumption of alcohol is the biggest drain on the NHS and a far bigger issue than the ever decreasing number of smokers. Somehow I can’t see the legislators banning alcohol.
Martin revokes licenses on arms for Israel but is quite happy to have its partner in crime the US to travel through Irish airspace to give to Israel to drop more bombs…seriously…you couldn’t make this up.
UK has already gone up in smoke..
We could do with bringing in a law banning vaping in pubs
Lots of hospitals and businesses have no smoking on the grounds, indoor or outdoor.
have your say