YORK’s Labour MPs have defended government plans to ban smoking in beer gardens and other outside locations.

However, Kevin Hollinrake, the Shadow Business Secretary and MP for Thirsk and Malton, says the proposals represent “an assault on small business” that risks the closure of one-eighth of our pubs.

Sir Keir Starmer confirmed leaked reports last Thursday, saying his government is considering a smoking ban which would also include outdoor restaurants and outside sports venues, hospitals, nightclubs, and in some small parks.

Whilst the hospitality sector has condemned the move, the government and Labour MPs see such restrictions as a necessary health measure.

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York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell said: “Tragically smoking kills 79,000 people every year, and is responsible for 408,000 hospital admissions.

“Being the leading cause of preventable death, it is important that Government introduces more measures to prevent the take up of smoking and to help people to quit, including through smoking cessation programmes and limiting access to smoking.

“While there was much concern by the hospitality sector when the indoor ban was introduced, today everyone recognises that this is the right thing to do, alongside having a thriving hospitality sector.”

Ms Maskell also told the Press: “Labour has been clear that we must have a robust programme of public health measures if we are to prevent ill health and help people make better choices.

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“Over 90 per cent of smokers regret starting and therefore we need to support them in moving to be smoke-free. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance which the industry uses to profit out of people’s demand for the substance.

“We need to break the cycle and through banning smoking in areas where children play, outside of hospitals and in certain social spaces like pub gardens and parks, is another step towards ending smoking."

She added: “With this new concept, although proven in other parts of the world to reduce smoking, we need to strongly look at the evidence and consult to ensure that we make the right choices, while also looking at how we can improve people’s relationship with alcohol, food and exercise.”

Similarly, the recently-elected York Outer MP Luke Charters, agreed too many lives were lost to smoking and government needed to take steps to reduce this and any potential burden on the NHS.

He said this proposed legislations, alongside the Tobacco and Vapes Bill- which would stop the sale of tobacco products to those born after January 2009 - “does exactly that".

However, Mr Charters added he understood  the hospitality sector would not want to be harmed by such changes in the law and he was keen to support them as much as he could.

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“That is why I would be very happy to meet with any concerned stakeholders, to ensure the hospitality sector continues to be properly supported by this Government, after fourteen years of neglect under the Conservatives."

However, Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake hit back at Labour’s plans.

He said: “This is just another example of Keir Starmer’s hypocrisy. He said he was going to tread more lightly on people’s lives, but now is clamping down on smoking for adults.

“A blanket smoking ban as the Prime Minister seems to be suggesting threatens the future of Britain’s pubs and clubs. Pubs are the lifeblood of communities across Britain, but a smoking ban risks seeing the closure of one eighth of them.

“This is the latest in Labour’s assault on small businesses and we will be holding them to account on their decisions.”

Selby’s Labour MP Keir Mather declined to comment.

Cllr Claire Douglas, the leader of City of York Council said: "We recognise the health benefits from banning smoking in more places, but also the challenges a blanket ban in outdoor places could have on the hospitality sector.

"Some outdoor spaces pose greater risk to public health than others and a more nuanced approach may be needed. We are keen to see the Government work with the hospitality sector to find a workable route forward."

York and North Yorkshire’s Labour Mayor David Skaith did not respond to our requests for comment.