Lansley: No government campaign can force people to make healthy choices
Health secretary Andrew Lansley comments on the obesity plan:
“We will not be dictating the ‘how’ when it comes to achieving better public health outcomes.
“But we will be very clear about the ‘what’ what we want to measure and achieve, such as: increases in life expectancy, decreases in infant mortality and health inequalities, improved immunisation rates, reduced childhood obesity, fewer alcohol related admissions to hospital, and more people taking part in physical activity.
“No government campaign or programme can force people to make healthy choices.
“We want to free business from the burden of regulation, but we don’t want, in doing that, to sacrifice public health outcomes.
“It’s perfectly possible to eat a bag of crisps, to eat a Mars bar, to drink a carbonated soft drink, but do it in moderation, understanding your overall diet and lifestyle.
“Then you can begin to take responsibility for it and the companies selling these things to you, they can be part of that responsibility too.”
