AssetID: 54276145
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: UK Government Revises Plans on Public Smoking Ban, Shifts Focus to Youth Protection
Caption: UK Government Revises Plans on Public Smoking Ban, Shifts Focus to Youth Protection. The UK government has decided against implementing a smoking ban in pub and restaurant gardens, citing concerns over the impact on the hospitality industry, BBC News reports. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he wants to avoid further harm to businesses, expressing concern for preserving local high streets. The government is instead proposing a smoking ban in areas frequented by children, such as playgrounds, schools, and hospital grounds, though specifics on enforcement remain unclear. A key focus of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is to make it illegal for anyone aged 15 or under to ever buy cigarettes, aiming to create a smoke-free generation. Streeting suggested that enforcing outdoor smoking bans could involve on-the-spot fines, similar to penalties for fly-tipping or anti-social behavior.Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have already implemented smoking restrictions near NHS hospital grounds and in certain public areas, with similar rules proposed for England. Starting next June, single-use disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales, a move intended to curb youth vaping. New powers could allow the government to restrict vape flavors, packaging, and displays, and potentially ban vaping in certain outdoor spaces. A licensing scheme requiring retailers to hold a permit to sell tobacco, vapes, and nicotine products in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is under consideration, with fines for violations. Health organizations, including Action on Smoking and Health and the British Heart Foundation, praised the bill for protecting young people from smoking and vaping influences, urging the government to fund more quit-smoking programs. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
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