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Government bid to get nation in shape

Rebecca Smith Health Correspondent|Evening Standard
13 April 2012

The Government is today launching its most far-reaching plans to tackle the growing public health crisis.

Critics will say the move does not go far enough and have been lobbying for a complete ban in public places.

The reforms will have an impact on all aspects of life, from eating out to the workplace, exercise, diet and sexual health.

Measures in the White Paper include:

  • A ban on smoking will be brought in, but only for premises which serve food.
  • A traffic light system of food labelling to show consumers which are healthier, along with a plea to the advertising industry not to target children with junk food adverts before the watershed. Advertisers including McDonald's, Burger King and Walkers Crisps will be asked to sign up to the ban.
  • Investment of ?1billion in sexual health services will be announced and the paper will reiterate the existing target of access to a clinic for everyone within 48 hours of asking for an appointment.
  • Every person will be entitled to have a personal health plan if they want one to help them lead healthier lifestyles.
  • The paper will also call for a renewed clampdown on the sale of tobacco to the under-16s.

Most campaigners have criticised Health Secretary John Reid for not introducing an outright ban on smoking in public places as Scotland voted to do last week. Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of Science and Ethics at the British Medical Association, said: "Obesity, sexually transmitted infections, alcohol abuse and smoking-related illness are all soaring and doctors are looking to the Government to take action on all of this issues.

"The BMA is pleased to hear about government plans to tackle obesity. Colour coding food according to fat and salt is a really good idea.

"However we are utterly disappointed that it appears that John Reid will not be introducing a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places."

She said that by backing away from a ban Dr Reid was "letting down every infant, child and adult in England".

Dr Nathanson said: "A total ban on smoking in all enclosed places will save around 800 lives every year in England. Partial bans mean fewer lives saved. Is the Secretary of State for Health really prepared to have these deaths on his conscience?"

A spokesman for the King's Fund, a charity that promotes public health, said: "We believe the White Paper will have a strong focus on tackling obesity and sexual health as part of a range of measures to improve the health of the nation.

"This is not before time and could be a first step to really significant change.

"But if, as expected, the Government doesn't opt for a total smoking ban in public places, this will be a real missed opportunity to tackle the wide health inequalities that exist in the UK, particularly in London.

"All in all, we'll await the White Paper with interest but we sincerely hope this is not another false dawn."

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