Labour 'too soft on pubs and smoking'

Rebecca Smith Health Correspondent|Evening Standard13 April 2012

The medical profession today attacked three key government policies, saying they will do nothing to improve the health of the nation.

Plans to open pubs 24 hours a day, introduce super- casinos and the decision not to ban smoking in all public places were attacked at the Conference of Public Health Medicine and Community Health in London.

Doctors said there should be clear evidence of how 24-hour licensing affects health before it was allowed to go ahead.

Many of them believe it will lead to binge drinking, whereas the Government thinks it would create a Continental "café£ulture" attitude towards alcohol.

The conference also called for a reduction in the drink-drive limit to bring Britain into line with the rest of Europe. The same suggestion-has been made by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

On smoking, doctors believe that legislation outlined in the Queen's Speech does not go far enough.

It would ban smoking in all pubs that serve food, although Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has signalled she may be willing to introduce an outright ban if there is public support for one.

Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the British Medical-Association, said: "If you work in a restaurant, your health will be protected but if you work in a non-food pub, your health won't be.

"These proposals are totally inequitable."

Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, added: "Stopping smoking in workplaces and in closed public places is the most effective action countries can take to halt the damage wreaked by secondhand smoke."

Another motion at the conference called on the BMA to oppose supercasinos which "promote addictive and detrimental behaviours".

London-based junior doctor Kitty Mohan, who proposed the motion, said: "There is an argument that says we are boosting revenue and tourism but that is a false picture. We need to weigh up the cost to society and health.

"Children and teenagers will get involved and the earlier you start the more addiction you create."