The government has launched a £2 million campaign aimed at reducing the incidences of childhood obesity.

Projects in schools include a campaign against junk food in tuck shops and vending machines.

Melanie Johnson, public health minister, said: "Children who are overweight or obese face greater risks of developing serious illness later in life, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

"We said we'd help children to eat more healthily and through programmes like the £44 million National School Fruit Scheme nearly one million four to six-year-olds are now receiving a free piece of fruit each school day.

"This new drive builds further on these commitments."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, told ePolitix.com: "ATL welcomes the move to tackle child obesity.

"However, we should not underestimate the powerful influence of advertising and the huge pressure children are under to spend money on sweets and crisps.

"Our ambition should be to educate children towards leading a healthy lifestyle, not to force feed them with fruit and fibre. We need to be wary about sending mixed messages as the manufacturers of crisps and chocolates attempt to become more child- and school-friendly.

"We also need to guard against being unremittingly negative about the sorts of food that children and young people really enjoy. If children have money to spend and they want sweets, they will always find somewhere to buy them.

"We want children to make sensible, informed decisions about their diet. To be successful, the campaign will need to extend way beyond the school gates and into the home. First and foremost, this is where healthy eating habits are established."

Forum Response: Health Development Agency

A spokeswoman for the HDA told ePolitix.com: "The Health Development Agency welcomes the government's pilot scheme to cut junk food available in schools. Recent evidence from the HDA on the management of obesity shows that schools have a vital part to play in helping prevent childhood obesity and overweight.

"The National Healthy School Standard (NHSS), run by the HDA on behalf of the DFES and DH, and operating in almost 10,000 schools nationwide, has been successful in supporting schools to implement measures such as nutrition lessons in class, offering healthy meal and snack options and promoting physical activity in and out of schools.

"The NHSS recognises that a healthy school is one that provides accessible and relevant information and equips pupils with the skills and attitudes to make informed decisions about their health - and that every school child in England should have this opportunity.

"HDA evidence shows that promoting both dietary and physical health in schools now will go a long way in tackling future health related problems."

Forum Response: Canderel

A spokeswoman for Canderel told ePolitix.com: "We share the government's concerns regarding the urgency in the need to address the rise of childhood obesity in the UK.

"Canderel feels that it is important for parents, teachers and children to understand what constitutes a healthy diet and for this message to be taughtin schools.

"Canderel welcomes the FSA's upcoming public debate on how to tackle the rise of obesity. It is a complex problem, which requires a partnershipacross government, health professionals, the voluntary and private sectors as well as schools.

"A holistic approach to tackling obesity is required, encompassing diet, physical activity and behaviour.

"It is clear that children in the UK are eating too much salt, sugar and fat - contributing to the rise of obesity.

"Canderel can play its part by offering an alternative to sugar - switching to a low calorie sweetener can have a significant impact on peoples' daily calorie intake - including children. This is linked to the need to change behaviour and unhealthy eating habits.

"Our understanding of consumers and what they want can contribute in helping to inform strategies around changing behaviour for a healthier lifestyle."