British Children asking Father Christmas for a cigarette-free Christmas
31 Oct 2011
Shadow Public Health Minister Diane Abbott says Andrew Lansley is the’ Grinch who stole Christmas’ because of his inadequate approach on smoking policy. She said:
‘It is touching that the majority of Britain’s children would love their parents to stop smoking for Christmas. But on this issue, Andrew Lansley is the Grinch who stole Christmas. His approach to fighting smoking is entirely inadequate. Andrew Lansley has imposed a freeze on mass media health campaigns including smoking; cut the smoking policy team at the Department of Health; and dithered over tobacco displays.
‘I also think that Andrew Lansley ought to have a proper consultation on the issue of whether the government should change the law to stop adults smoking in cars when children are in the back. We know that this is something children themselves support.
‘Andrew Lansley’s failure to take a lead on these issues compares to the real leadership that the Labour government showed on tobacco control. We introduced the smoking ban in pubs and enclosed spaces, ended sports sponsorship and billboard advertising, raised the legal age of purchasing cigarettes and put graphic warnings on cigarette packs.
‘We often had to push on with these policies against industry and public opinion. Yet there is concern that the advances in smoking policy may be coming to a halt.
‘Thanks to Andrew Lansley and his lack of leadership and his smoking policy, too many children will wake up on Christmas morning disappointed.’
--ENDS—
Notes to Editors:
1) Flu jabs campaign axed: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2040256/Flu-jabs-campaign-axed-despite-years-outbreak-claiming-600-lives.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
2) Diane Abbott calls for a tobacco-free Olympics: http://www.obv.org.uk/news-blogs/diane-abbott-london-2012-olympic-health
3) Waiting times: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/13/nhs-waiting-times-rise-cuts?newsfeed=true http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/may/19/nhs-hospital-waiting-times-longer
4) Support for the government on health has collapsed since the election. Labour has a 13% lead: http://today.yougov.co.uk/sites/today.yougov.co.uk/files/yg-archives-pol-trackers-issues1-251011.pdf
5) The letter from public health experts: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/03/nhs-bill-doctors-lords
6) NHS funds being moved to richer areas: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14356517
7) See page 68 to show slashed budgets on public health campaigns for this current year 11/12:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_126449.pdf
8) Criticism of the government’s obesity strategy: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2048738/Jamie-Oliver-blasts-Andrew-Lansleys-plan-tackle-obesity.html
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