Action Plan for Better Health

Change is Possible – for the good of our children It is essential and possible to improve our nation’s health in ten years, with great benefits to our children, communities, our economy. [...] This is a positive agenda – we can ensure by acting together that many of us will live longer in good health, with healthier environments, a healthier food system, and action on the key risks to the health of our children and the places where health is worst. Policies should apply everywhere but scarce expenditure must be deployed where it is most needed. [...] International Co-operation Premature avoidable ill health is a problem for many countries so the UK experience, particularly in smoking cessation and food reformulation, would be valuable to others, and would support our international development role. [...] To secure such a goal further progress will be needed to reduce smoking which is responsible for half the gap in health life expectancy. [...] Vape products have been a crucial driver in reducing rates of smoking and will continue to be an important part of a comprehensive strategy to help smokers quit smoking in the future. [...] It is essential, however, that prices to consumers should not be lowered as a result of the scheme as this would increase consumption and reverse the decline in smoking prevalence. [...] Action Plan for Better Health 37 While £700Mn could be raised it is estimated that an additional £300Mn is needed in addition to the funding currently being spent in local government and the NHS. [...] • It is indefensible for companies to be presenting products that are high in fat, salt and sugar as being a healthy option. [...] It is estimated that 5,000 more health visitors are needed to meet the scale of families’ needs and replace workforce losses since 2015. [...] The proportion of food eaten outside the home has increased and this food tends to have a higher calorie content than food purchased in a supermarket.