Nigel Farage hits back at reports outdoor smoking ban being considered
Nigel Farage has branded smokers the “heroes of the nation in terms of the amount of taxation they pay”, in response to a potential cigarettes ban outside pubs.
The Reform UK leader lit up a Benson and Hedges outside the Westminster Arms shortly before 6pm on Thursday, less than 400m from the Prime Minister’s official residence in Downing Street.
Sir Keir Starmer earlier told reporters the loss of lives because of smoking are “preventable” and that his ministers would “take decisions” on an outdoor cigarettes ban.
According to leaked Whitehall papers, ministers could extend the indoor smoking ban to beer gardens, university and hospital campuses, sports grounds, children’s play areas and small parks.
Taking questions at the pub, Mr Farage told the PA news agency: “You’ll notice very few people drink inside it, they drink outside it.
“Why? Because they’re allowed a smoke outside.
“I’ve been coming here for 30 years, regular basis, every week for 30 years.
“If the Government say that I can’t have a drink and a smoke outside, I won’t come back.
Asked about plans for a smoking ban on a visit to Paris, where he attended the Paralympics 2024 opening ceremony, Sir Keir said: “I think it’s important to get the balance right, but everybody watching this who uses the NHS will know that it’s on its knees.
“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.”
The Prime Minister added: “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.
“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.
“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.”
According to the charity Action on Smoking and Health, in the year following the introduction of English smoke-free laws in 2007, there was a 2.4% reduction in hospital admissions for heart attacks, saving the NHS £8.4 million in their first year.
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