Government following dangerous path on obesity says top doctor
www.gdaguru.com today reports that one of the most senior doctors in the country claims that the new coalition government has set itself on a 'dangerous path' by cosying up to the food industry and failing to tackle the nation's obesity crisis. 31-07-2010
Sir Richard Thompson, a gastroenterologist by profession and former Queen's Physician for 21 years, has criticised Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's policies of less regulation and more involvement from food and drinks industry in public health at a time when obesity is threatening to overwhelm the NHS.
Mr Lansley laid out his intentions for public health in a recent speech saying the government would be spending less money on the high profile Change4Life campaign to encourage healthy eating and exercise, instead asking industry to pay for it.
Sir Richard Thompson is sceptical that the new government's approach of encouraging industry to fund public health campaigns and change the composition of their products voluntarily, will work.
Sir Richard will raise the topic with Mr Lansley, in addition to the new government’s decision to back down on proposals to introduce more stringent 'traffic light' labels in the face of opposition in Europe.
Mr Lansley has said it would take a change in European legislation to enforce traffic light labels but Sir Richard believes that labels are vital to help people decide what foods to eat.
Sir Richard would also like to see greater restrictions on smoking in open public places, in the home and in cars when children are present because of the dangers of second hand smoke.
He said the smoking ban seems to have been a success with a marked reduction in heart attacks but thinks a further signal that cigarettes are harmful would be useful.
