A coalition of health experts has called for tough action on the UK’s three biggest preventable killers (tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food and drink) to relieve growing pressure on NHS services.

This comes as the government prepares to publish its 10-Year Plan to improve health.

A poll has revealed significant public backing for strong action on the industries responsible for harming public health.

The nationally representative survey of over 2000 adults, carried out by Public First, commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the Alcohol Health Alliance, and the Obesity Health Alliance, revealed widespread public concern about the impact tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food and drink is having on the nation’s health and the NHS.

Key findings include:

  • Eighty-one per cent believe companies put profit ahead of public health
  • Just 26 per cent trust businesses to be honest about the health impact of their products
  • Seventy-four per cent want the government to prioritise the public’s health over business growth
  • Seventy-five per cent back ‘polluter pays’ levies on the tobacco and unhealthy food companies, with 60 per cent supporting similar levies for alcohol manufacturers

The poll revealed overwhelming public support for the government to act more quickly and ambitiously on smoking, alcohol and obesity rates. The organisations behind the research have said the government now has a clear public mandate to act urgently on its promised shift from ‘sickness to prevention’ as it finalises it’s 10-year strategy for health. They have called on ministers to set ambitious reduction targets, publish clear, evidence-based roadmaps for action, introduce marketing and availability restrictions, and expand access to treatment as part of a joined-up strategy to deliver Labour’s prevention mission.

The NHS was ranked the second most important issue facing the country right now (49 per cent of people putting it in their top three), just behind the cost of living (64 per cent). Large majorities of the public identify tobacco (87 per cent), alcohol (84 per cent) and unhealthy food and drink (83 per cent) as significant contributing factors to NHS pressures.

Preventive measures

The public backs bold preventive measures, even if they mean tougher regulations and higher taxes. Despite concerns that such policies could raise product prices, this didn’t weaken support. Support for taxes is even stronger when revenues are reinvested in health services.

Public backing for preventive measures included:

  • Tobacco: The public backed further action to drive down smoking including limits on where tobacco can be sold (79 per cent), higher taxes on tobacco, health warnings on cigarettes (both 71 per cent), a levy on tobacco companies (68 per cent) and outdoor smoking bans (67 per cent).
  • Unhealthy food and drink: There was strong support for policies on clear and consistent food labelling (84 per cent), warning labels on unhealthy food (79 per cent), further marketing restrictions (69 per cent) and a ban on baby foods high in sugar and salt (75 per cent).
  • Alcohol: Support was high for nutritional and warning labels on products (72 per cent and 75 per cent) respectively, along with a levy on alcohol businesses (60 per cent) and limits on where alcohol can be sold (72 per cent).

Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive at ASH, said, “The public has lost trust in industries that profit from harm, and they want to see the government do more to prevent poor health, as they promised to when elected. People are clear: when it comes to protecting our health and relieving pressure on the NHS, businesses must be held to account. This research shows strong support for bold, evidence-based action to tackle the damage caused by tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food. Now is the time for a joined-up prevention strategy that puts public health first."

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