Demand for action on UK’s ‘top three killers’ ahead of Government's 10-Year Health Plan

As the Government prepares to publish its 10-Year Plan to improve health, a coalition of health experts is calling 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.

Strong action on the industries responsible for harming our health has significant public backing with a new poll showing overwhelming public support for making health-harming industries pay for the damage their products cause to people’s health and the NHS.

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, reveals widespread public concern about the impact tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food and drink is having on the nation’s health and the NHS. It highlights a deep scepticism of big business and strong appetite for tougher government intervention — even if that means higher prices.

Key findings include:

• 81% believe companies put profit ahead of public health.
• Just 26% trust businesses to be honest about the health impact of their products.
• 74% want the government to prioritise the public’s health over business growth
• 75% back ‘polluter pays’ levies on the tobacco and unhealthy food companies, with 60% supporting similar levies for alcohol manufacturers.

The poll shows overwhelming public support for the government to act more quickly and ambitiously on smoking, alcohol and obesity rates. The organisations behind the research say 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 are calling 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% of people putting it in their top three), just behind the cost of living (64%) but well ahead of the economy (36%) and immigration (37%). Large majorities of the public identify tobacco (87%), alcohol (84%) and unhealthy food and drink (83%) as significant contributing factors to NHS pressures.

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 includes:

• Tobacco: The public back further action to drive down smoking including limits on where tobacco can be sold (79%), higher taxes on tobacco, health warnings on cigarettes (both 71%), a levy on tobacco companies (68%) outdoor smoking bans (67%).
• Unhealthy food and drink: There is strong support for policies on clear and consistent food labelling (84%), warning labels on unhealthy food (79%), further marketing restrictions (69%) and a ban on baby foods high in sugar and salt (75%).
• Alcohol: Support is high for nutritional and warning labels on products (72% and 75%) respectively along with a levy on alcohol businesses (60%) and limits on where alcohol can be sold (72%). Minimum unit pricing received significantly more support than opposition (45% versus 29%).

Caroline Cerny, Deputy Chief Executive at Action on Smoking and Health 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."

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance and professor of hepatology added: "This polling shows that the public understand the urgent need for stronger government action to prevent harm from tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food. These industries are driving the burden of preventable illness and pushing the NHS to breaking point. As the Government prepares its 10-Year Health Plan, it must seize this opportunity for real change by putting prevention at the heart of policy, holding industry to account, and investing in a healthier future for everyone."

Katharine Jenner, Director, Obesity Health Alliance, said: “A healthy population is the foundation of a strong economy, yet we’re constantly bombarded with unhealthy food and drink on our screens, our streets, and even outside school gates. While some companies are making changes—reformulating products, cutting sugar, and removing junk food from checkouts—there needs to be more urgency. If there’s a choice between business growth and public health, 74% of people agree: government should put health first.”

ENDS.