College welcomes public health measures in King’s Speech

College welcomes public health measures in King’s Speech

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (“the College”) is welcoming new legislative proposals relating to public health contained in today’s King’s Speech. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and place limits on the sale and marketing of vapes. Legislation will also be introduced to restrict advertising of junk food to children along with the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children.

Speaking today Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said:

The College welcomes the important public health measures outlined in today’s King’s Speech. Our Health Priorities document ahead of the recent general election called for all of these proposals and we are pleased to see that they are being taken forward, not least plans for a smokefree generation.

We have consistently argued that smoking and poor diet, as well as other factors like physical inactivity and harmful alcohol use, are leading risk factors driving the UK’s high burden of preventable ill health and premature mortality. The government is right to focus on prevention and by doing so we can potentially reduce the burden on our NHS in future years.

We also consider that these population level interventions can help tackle the deep rooted and unacceptable health inequalities that exist in many communities throughout the UK.

The College is, however, mindful that policies designed to prevent ill-health, while essential, will take some time to bear fruit. In that regard, it’s essential that the government takes action now to drive down waiting lists, invest in the medical workforce, and fix delayed discharges by improving patient flow in hospitals and by ensuring that “social” care has capacity to look after people in the community.