New Labour has failed to tackle the root causes of ill health

9.00.00am GMT Tue 22nd Mar 2005

Commenting on the Government's publication of the delivery plan for public health, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Paul Burstow MP said: "The Government has dithered and delayed for eight years on public health.

"Binge drinking is on the rise, sexual infections have rocketed, and smoking levels have remained about the same for over a decade. The Government's plans are a typical fudge, which fail to give consumers the information and opportunities they need to make healthy choices.

"If the Health Secretary admits that passive smoking kills and that there is no safe level of smoke, then there can not be any exceptions for a ban on smoking in enclosed public places. Passive smoking still kills even when you are not eating food. The Government seems content to put bar staff in harm's way.

"Ministers need to give local health trusts the freedom to get on with the job. There is a great danger that targets in other areas, such as hospital care, will prevent local trusts from tackling the root causes of ill health, as they struggle to balance the books.

"Prevention is as important as cure. Simply tackling individual lifestyles ignores many fundamental causes of ill-health. The White Paper was silent on issues of poverty, poor housing and poor environment."