Reid Hints at Action on Junk Food Ads
 10 September, 2004

The Government may act to protect children from being bombarded with junk food advertising, Health Secretary John Reid hinted today.

Mr Reid appeared to rule out a complete ban on such advertising, while stressing that the importance of youngsters adopting a healthy lifestyle would be a key feature of the Government’s forthcoming public health White Paper.

Mr Reid also told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme there was no public appetite for a complete ban on smoking in pubs.

The Health Secretary said: “I think the case for saying that children are less likely to be able to make informed and mature choices is a strong one.

“We start from the position not of dictating to people but enabling them to make informed and healthy choices. Children aren’t always able to make these informed choices because they are not mature adults.”

Asked if advertising, for example, on children’s TV or around schools for junk food should be banned, Mr Reid replied: “I don’t think anyone is saying children aren’t influenced by that.

“It isn’t only television that influences children, there are books, all sorts of things.”

But he went on: “This word ban is thrown about by people. What people are saying is we need more intervention in this area and I think that’s a legitimate point to make.

“If you take the view that all junk food is bad, that’s not based on any scientific evidence. Whereas one cigarette is bad for you, one hamburger isn’t.”

On smoking, Mr Reid said: “What’s not true is that people want a complete ban in pubs.

“People in this country, generally speaking, have the right, even if they are misinformed, to live their own lives.

“What they don’t have the right to do is damage the health of others and that’s what the key issue is about with smoking.”

He would not be drawn on whether he planned to raise the age at which youngsters could buy cigarettes from 16 to 18 but added: “Whether or not we do that exact thing.... there is deep, deep concern that the Government should tackle young people smoking.”

He denied Government plans for 24-hour drinking would lead to increased violence, saying he hoped over time that more relaxed opening hours would lead to a change in drinking culture in the UK.