Known as a pavement ban, the proposed measure would have outlawed smoking directly outside venues such as pubs and restaurants. New Communities Secretary Michael Gove said that the local authorities would never be able to keep up and enforce the ban. While ministers said that the measure would also be a financial blow to the concerned establishments.
Meanwhile a government source said that the measure will not be passed, adding that taking away freedom and putting “more red tape on business” is a bad idea. Simon Clark, director of smokers’ group Forest added that further restrictions is exactly what the entertainment industry does not need more of.
“Banning smoking in pavement areas is completely unjustified because there is no evidence that smoking outside is a significant risk to non-smokers. What the hospitality industry doesn’t need, as it tries to recover from the pandemic, are further regulations that may deter customers from returning.”
A concern about the use of disposable vapes
In other news, a survey of under-18s has found a significant rise in the use of certain vapes which are popular on social media, leading to the suspicion that watching glamorous influencers promoting the products on TikTok and Instagram, is drawing many youth to try the products.
The Impression of vaping as a glamorous activity to engage in, as portrayed on platforms such as TikTok, just like smoking in old movies is drawing adolescents to the habit, fear a number of health and tobacco harm reduction groups. Conducted by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the study found that the proportion of children aged 11 to 17 who vape has increased from 4 to 7% this year.
“Online platforms don’t need to wait, they must act now. The flood of glamourous promotion of vaping on social media, in particular TikTok, is completely inappropriate and they should turn off the tap,” said ASH chief executive Deborah Arnott.
