Trade 'too slow' on no smoking areas
The former bank boss tasked with investigating the nation's health has taken a swipe at the speed at which pubs are introducing no smoking areas.
Former NatWest chief executive Derek Wanless said the introduction of voluntary smoke-free areas in the hospitality sector has been "particularly slow".
The comment came in a report commissioned by the Treasury. The aim was to establish what steps the government can take to promote healthier lifestyles, and so save the NHS money.
In his report, Good Health For The Whole Population, Mr Wanless reached the perhaps unsurprising conclusion that if we all exercised more, smoked less and ate sensibly, the health of the nation might improve.
The review of public health policy stopped short of making any recommendations for changes in the law. Mr Wanless said it was a matter for the government to decide if there is public support for a legal workplace smoking ban.
The report also says the government should consider measures such as a tax on fatty foods and subsidised gym memberships.
It says: "Although the impact on any individual of a 'fat tax' is likely to be modest, over time and across the whole population, the health gains may be significant." Health Secretary John Reid is to publish a White Paper on public health later this year, which will take the report's findings into account.
While the department of health is known to support a workplace smoking ban, the official government line is that the hospitality trade will be given time to show that voluntary smokmg controls can work.
Despite Mr Wanless' comments, the trade has met all its deadlines for implementing the Public Places Charter.
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