Smoking and vaping ban proposed for outdoor areas in new consultation
A new consultation proposes banning smoking and vaping in outdoor areas like hospital grounds and near schools to protect vulnerable individuals.Summary
The Department of Health and Social Care is launching a public consultation on proposals to extend smoking restrictions to outdoor spaces, including hospital grounds, school areas, and children’s play areas. The plans also aim to make indoor venues vape-free and heated tobacco-free. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the need to protect children and vulnerable patients from the dangers of second-hand smoke, which increases the risk of heart disease and lung cancer. Professor Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer for England, highlighted the significant health risks associated with second-hand smoke exposure, particularly for children, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions. The consultation will consider practical aspects like boundaries, exemptions, and communication of restrictions, with a minimum six-month gap between regulation and implementation. Proposals to ban smoking outside hospitality venues were dismissed to avoid impacting businesses, and organizations like the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK have voiced their support for the initiative.
(Source：Liverpool Echo)
