The Independent – Starmer’s smoking ban plan has pubs and clubs fuming
The Independent says the government is considering a ban on outdoor smoking to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressure on the NHS. Campaigners warn measures will be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for struggling pubs, the paper adds.
The front page features a large image of Daphne Schrager hugging her rival after winning Britain’s first medal at the Paris Paralympics. Team GB have two gold medals, 3 silver and one bronze in first days of the Games.
Starmer’s outdoor smoking ban plan has pubs and clubs fuming
The government is considering a ban on outdoor smoking in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressure on the NHS.
The proposal would affect small parks, pub gardens, and areas outside hospitals, nightclubs and sports venues.
Sir Keir Starmer said action is needed “to reduce the burden on the NHS and the taxpayer”.
But the hospitality industry warned it would cause serious economic harm to venues already struggling since the Covid-19 pandemic, and questioned whether the move is in the public interest.
Paralympics LIVE: Great Britain’s Tully Kearney and Jody Cundy go for gold in swimming and cycling
The Paralympic Games kicked off in fine fashion on Thursday as the action got underway at Paris 2024.
22 medals were awarded on the first day of competition as a busy programme started both at the swimming pool and the velodrome. ParalympicsGB‘s Daphne Schrager secured Britain’s first medal with silver in the C1-3 3000m individual pursuit before Steve Bate and pilot Chris Latham matched her achievement. Poppy Maskill claimed gold and a world record in the 100m butterfly – then Tully Kearney won another gold in the 200m freestyle.
Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
If you are someone who reads every perspective of a story, here is a news summary of all of today’s front pages from today’s newspapers; summarised in a 2-minute read
Editorial 30 August 2024.
Friday’s leads report on the latest from Downing Street with many papers assessing what the government’s plans to ban outdoor smoking in pubs will do to trading. Pub landlords have not welcomed the news and the traditional right-leaning publications dramatically claim it’s ‘the end of British pubs!’
The plans have put the Labour government on a collision course with the hospitality industry – which is already struggling. But the news has been welcomed by health experts.
Working hours, the NHS and health studies also make Friday’s front pages along with a dose of showbiz and royal gossip.
The back pages report on the latest Premier League gossip, the England National football team and Joe Root’s 33rd Test Century for England.