The Government is consulting on a new smoking and vaping ban as Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warns: ‘People who don’t smoke but are exposed to second-hand smoke can suffer significant harm’
Vaping and smoking could be banned in certain outdoor spaces such as outside hospitals, schools and children’s playgrounds.
The Department of Health and Social Care will also launch a public consultation on plans to extend smoking bans to these areas. Indoor spaces, where smoking is already banned, would also become vape-free and heated tobacco-free under the proposals.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “No child in a playground or hospital patient should suffer because someone else chooses to smoke. Second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer and we want to protect children and the sick from harm.
READ MORE: Vaping overtakes smoking in Britain for first time after generational shiftREAD MORE: Vaping long-term harms could be uncovered by major new e-cigarette trial
“Prevention is better than cure, so this government is taking pressure off the NHS and building a healthier Britain where everyone lives well for longer.”
The consultation will look at how second-hand smoke is harmful even outdoors, with children and medically vulnerable people at greatest risk. By acting in places where young people gather and patients receive care the government says it aims to prevent illness and disease.
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England said: “People who do not smoke but who are exposed to second-hand smoke can suffer significant harmful effects on their health, including an increased risk of asthma, poor birth outcomes, several cancers, stroke and heart disease. The health risks are greatest for children, pregnant women and people with medical conditions.
“No smoker wants to harm people, but with second-hand smoke they do – and these measures would reduce the harm second-hand smoke causes the most medically vulnerable in our society.”
The consultation will also seek views on setting outdoor boundaries, exemptions, designated smoking areas and how to inform people of restrictions to ensure the rules are proportionate and workable. There will be a minimum of six months between any regulations being made and them coming into force.
The Government has rejected calls to ban smoking outside areas of hospitality venues – such as pub beer gardens – amid concerns it could affect trade.
Business Minister Kate Dearden said: “These are targeted proposals to protect children and families from second-hand smoke and vaping, without placing extra pressure on pubs, restaurants or the wider hospitality sector.
“We have been clear that we will support businesses, and after listening to their concerns, we have excluded outdoor hospitality spaces from these changes.”
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: “No child should have to walk through a cloud of deadly secondhand smoke on their way to the classroom or playground, nor should any patient be exposed to harm on hospital grounds.
“We strongly support the Government’s consultation and the landmark legislation behind it, and we call for urgent implementation to protect everyone from harm.”
Cancer Research UK’s executive director of policy and information, Dr Ian Walker, said: “We support the UK Government taking action to create a smoke-free future and protect the most vulnerable in society.”
