UK to ban smoking near schools and hospitals to ease health system strain
The UK government has proposed a new law to ban smoking around schools, hospitals, and children’s playgrounds, aiming to alleviate pressure on the healthcare system and reduce taxpayer costs.
The Tobacco and E-Cigarette Bill, recently introduced to Parliament, includes new restrictions on smoking and prohibits sales to minors.
Despite calls to extend the smoking ban to areas outside pubs and cafes, the government chose not to proceed, citing concerns over the potential negative impact on tourism.
Health Minister Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “If we don’t act to protect public health, the deterioration in health across communities could bankrupt our National Health Service,” noting that the legislation has the potential to save thousands of lives.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced support for public smoking restrictions in August, and polls show broad public approval for banning smoking near hospitals and schools, though opinions remain split on extending the restrictions to pub gardens.
The new legislation also aims to prevent those under 15 from purchasing cigarettes and to limit the appeal of e-cigarettes to children, with the goal of creating a “smoke-free generation.”
Government statistics indicate that smoking causes around 80,000 deaths annually and costs the UK economy an estimated £21.8 billion each year—significantly more than the revenue from tobacco taxes. Since banning indoor public smoking in 2007, the UK has seen a decline in smoking rates and hospital admissions for heart attacks.
