Public health
John Reid has outlined a series of public health initiatives and has accused Tory health policy of working against parents and consumers.
The health secretary used an event in
The plan sets out details of government proposals for simple food labelling, restrictions on children's television adverts and moves to stop passive smoking.
Reid said there was a clear choice between Labour and the Conservatives on the issue.
Government Response: Department of Health
John Reid, health secretary, said: "Our public health white paper set out a plan of action to help people make healthier choices and prevent ill health caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. Today we've published a plan of action which sets out how that vision translates into action and make a difference to local communities.
"We know how important it is to make sure healthy habits start young. That's why we are taking a range of actions to get kids involved in making healthier choices about the food they eat and how much exercise they take. This is not a job for government alone. For example, football clubs can help make the public health white paper work in practice by encouraging kids to take exercise by making it fun."
Party Response: Liberal Democrat
Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "The government has dithered and delayed for eight years on public health. Sexual infections have rocketed, binge drinking is on the rise and smoking levels have remained about the same for over a decade.
"The government's plans are a typical fudge, which fail to give consumers the information and opportunities they need to make healthy choices.
"If the health secretary admits that passive smoking kills and that there is no safe level of smoke, then there can not be any exceptions for a ban on smoking in enclosed public places.
"Passive smoking still kills even when you are not eating food. The government seems content to put bar staff in harm's way.
"Ministers need to give local health trusts the freedom to get on with the job. There is a great danger that targets in other areas, such as hospital care, will prevent local trusts from tackling the root causes of ill health, as they struggle to balance the books.
"Prevention is as important as cure. Simply tackling individual lifestyles ignores many fundamental causes of ill-health. The white paper was silent on issues of poverty, poor housing and poor environment."
Party Response: Conservative
Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary, said: "We've heard it all before. But doctors and nurses are fed up with government targets, interference and bureaucracy. They want to see NHS money getting to front line services.
"They want to treat patients according to clinical judgements not government targets, and they want an NHS focused on the needs and choices of patients, not the dictates of ministers.
"Labour today are only offering more of the same heavy-handed interference and bureaucracy.
"Only the Conservatives will offer investment combined with genuine choice for patients, a leading role again for GPs in providing patient care, and freedoms from bureaucracy for NHS staff and institutions."
Stakeholder Response: NHS Confederation
Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "The NHS Confederation, whose members include more than 90 per cent of NHS organisations throughout the
"Our survey of NHS chief executives in June 2004 found that they thought public health issues should be the number one priority for the political parties in their manifestos and so improving public health – including NHS staff – is clearly a big issue for our members.
"For example, we fully support a ban on smoking in all NHS buildings which is due to come into force in 2006 because smoking is such a major cause of death and illness in the
"We pledge our backing for a smoking ban in the NHS during her speech at our annual conference in 2004.
"The NHS Confederation’s election manifesto, which is due to be launched on Monday (March 14), calls for a separate investment fund for health improvement to ensure that improving public health is a top priority.
"Our full manifesto, which is being sent to all MPs, will be available at www.nhsconfed.org/imagine - the website also invites members of the public to participate in the health debate by giving their views online."
Stakeholder Response: Which?
Miranda Watson, campaign team leader at Which?, said: "The food industry would be foolhardy to ignore the initiatives on marketing and advertising of unhealthy food to children as laid out in the government’s action plan today.
"Industry complacency today means the government will legislate tomorrow. It’s their choice."
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