U.K. lawmakers back anti-smoking bill, moving step closer to a future ban on all tobacco sales
CBSApr 19
UK Allegedly Considering Outdoor Smoking Bans
Above: Patrons sit in the beer garden at Dukes 92 bar on April 12, 2021 in Manchester, England. Image copyright: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
UK news outlet The Sun has claimed that outdoor smoking in several locations such as pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, and small parks may be banned by the new Labour government, according to the so-called Whitehall papers.
Other locations alleged to be banned include sidewalks outside universities, hospitals, and nightclubs. The policy is not expected to affect private gardens and large public areas.
The Spin
Right narrative
The oppressive Labour nanny state strikes again. Having already stolen the right to smoke indoors during their last premiership, deceitful Starmer and his party's authoritarian socialist agenda continue to attack the freedom of the British people. Beginning with tobacco, and soon to be alcohol, the UK's liberties are set to be slowly eroded under misleading pretenses of health and safety.
Left narrative
Smoking is the leading preventable cause of illness and death across the world, often resulting in lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and diabetes while costing the UK economy billions of pounds in health and social care as well as lost productivity. As support in favor of a smoke-free society continues to grow, now is the time for the UK to take further action.