26 July 2006
The problems we face with obesity, alcohol abuse and smoking are more about lifestyle than public health.
So Government should work with business, the media, and civil society to persuade people to make healthier choices, Tony Blair has said.
It made sense, the PM insisted, to work with major retailers or industry bodies to provide clear information for consumers - for example, on food labelling.
This more subtle approach worked well if it was used in conjunction with legislation - to ban smoking in public places, or outlaw junk food in school canteens.
In a speech in Nottingham, the second in the Our Nation’s Future series, the PM reflected on developments on public health policy over the years, and on the changing role of the state in people’s lives.
"I want to develop an argument about the changing nature of the state and Government in the modern world, of which the issue of healthy living is actually a prime illustration."
A new "robust approach" to health was needed to reflect the changes in society, Mr Blair continued:
""In many cases government is not the organisation to persuade us to change some of our most personal behaviour…government should play an active role in the way the enabling state should work: empowering people to choose responsibility."
Referring to worrying statistics on obesity, smoking levels, drinking habits and diabetes, the PM pointed out that "these individual actions lead to collective costs."
More about the lecture
To help him prepare this lecture, a number of health experts wrote papers with their views.
There are already many innovative projects around the UK which are helping people to lead healthier lives. Tony Blair picked out some in his lecture.
To follow-up Mr Blair’s health speech, we will be holding a webchat with Dr Fiona Adshead - the government’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer - who also spoke at the event.
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