Major prevention inquiry turns to harms caused by alcohol, drugs, gambling and tobacco
9 November 2023
MPs will consider harms, including addictive behaviours, in the next stage of their major inquiry into preventing ill-health. On the agenda, the effectiveness of regulation and messaging around harms caused by alcohol, drugs, gambling and smoking – factors that contribute to poor health.
Chair comment
Steve Brine MP, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, said:
“We are all too aware of the harms, including addiction, that can be caused by alcohol, drugs, gambling and smoking. The government’s plans announced in the King’s Speech to introduce legislation to create a ‘smoke-free generation’ are welcome news. However, that won’t safeguard the current generation of children who will continue to be affected by parents who smoke, for example.
“If you drink alcohol regularly, are you aware of the risks to your health? If you smoke, gamble or use drugs? We’ll be considering what responsibilities those industries share, and where the government needs to step in to encourage change across the population and prevent ill-health caused by alcohol, drugs, gambling and smoking.
“We’ll question the impact of public health messaging on avoiding harmful behaviour that contributes to poor health and consider the effectiveness of existing regulation.”
Furhter information
Image credit: UK Parliament