British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that he wanted to take new measures to combat smoking, which according to the press include a ban on smoking on restaurant terraces and outside football stadiums.
Keir Starmer said in July that he would resume the very ambitious anti-smoking policy of his predecessor Rishi Sunak. According to this plan, young people under the age of fifteen today will never be legally sold cigarettes.
According to the tabloid The Sun, the government also wants to ban smoking in many public spaces. According to this plan, it would no longer be possible to light a cigarette in pub gardens, on restaurant terraces, outside nightclubs, football stadiums, on the sidewalks near universities and hospitals, in certain parks, etc.
Asked about this information, Keir Starmer, who is visiting Paris, confirmed to journalists that he wanted to take new measures in this regard.
“More than 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking,” the Prime Minister said. “These are preventable deaths, a huge burden on the NHS and, of course, a burden on the taxpayer,” he added.
The plan has been welcomed by health professionals but strongly criticised by pubs, which have been struggling in recent years.
“This is very concerning,” said Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, calling on the government to “reconsider” its plans. “Such restrictions would have a devastating impact on pubs which are already struggling with soaring energy prices and the huge cost of doing business,” she added.
This article is originally published on lesoir.be
