Resisting Industry’s ‘Killer Tactics’: Will Labour Protect Public Health?

Resisting Industry’s ‘Killer Tactics’: Will Labour Protect Public Health?

Illness, disease, and death can be the result of bad luck, genetic factors, or people’s lifestyles – whether someone smokes, drinks a lot, or consumes a lot of junk food, for example. The role of lifestyle in explaining why the UK is an increasingly sick country, and the growing pressures on the NHS, is often underappreciated. Experts tend to cite the growing and, especially, aging population, which are both key factors. But lifestyles do produce a significant amount of arguably avoidable ill health.

The Impact of Lifestyle on Public Health

For instance, skin cancer is one of the few forms of the disease where the incidence of it – the proportion of people getting it – is growing, and that is largely because of UV exposure during holidays in hot, sunny places. Cancer specialists estimate that about 40% of all cases of the disease are avoidable. In human terms, that means that about 184,000 people in Britain will be diagnosed with cancer this year as a direct result of their obesity, smoking, drinking, or history of sunburn, at a cost of £78bn, including £3.7bn of the NHS’s budget. No wonder Keir Starmer wants to make lighting up even more difficult.

The World Health Organization’s Findings

A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that across Europe’s 53 states, a total of 2.7 million people a year die as a consequence of consumption of or exposure to four products: tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed food, and fossil fuels. That is 7,400 a day – or almost one in four of everyone who dies in Europe. The UN’s health agency pulled no punches when it launched its findings in June. The title of its report was not snappy: “Commercial determinants of noncommunicable diseases in the WHO European region.” But it did make completely clear that, in simple terms, some big businesses and their products are causing misery and mortality on a colossal scale.

The WHO sounded the alarm about “the wide range of tactics [these] industries employ to maximize profits and undermine public health. Those practices fuel inequality and rates of cancer, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, and create a major barrier to prevention policies.” They could have added dementia and mental illness. The WHO warned that “a small number of transnational corporations … wield significant power over the political and legal contexts in which they operate and obstruct public interest regulations which could impact their profit margins.”

The Role of Big Businesses in Public Health

The new joint report from the Obesity Health Alliance, Alcohol Health Alliance, and Action on Smoking and Health is on the same subject: the polluters and poisoners of public health. But it uses simpler language. It identifies these industries’ “killer tactics,” including the wooing of MPs. These are tactics that are intended to delay, water down, or derail altogether government efforts to improve the health of the nation; policies which would, if successful, hit the profits of these corporations.

For example, the Scotch Whisky Association’s legal challenges to the Holyrood government’s decision to bring in minimum unit pricing of alcohol delayed its introduction – potentially protecting drinks producers’ profits – for six years. The report also references the legal maneuvers deployed by tobacco firms to impede the arrival of plain packaging of cigarettes. Will the hospitality trade do the same if Starmer pursues a ban on some outdoor smoking? Will parliamentary friends of the tobacco and alcohol trades prove helpful allies?

The Economic Costs of Public Health Issues

Obesity costs the UK an estimated £95bn a year, alcohol harm £27bn, and smoking in England alone £46bn. As the new report says: “the poor health caused by and exacerbated by consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food and drink is responsible for the majority of premature deaths in the UK.” The new government is committed to tough action to improve public health and restore standards of integrity to public life. Taking on vested interests whose products and behavior are disastrous for health, and ending their influence on and interference with the political process, is an acid test of both these aims.

The Influence of Big Businesses on Public Health

Big businesses play a significant role in shaping public health outcomes through their marketing strategies and lobbying efforts. They often prioritize profits over the well-being of consumers, leading to harmful consequences for public health. By using various tactics to obstruct public health regulations and policies, these industries contribute to the rising rates of noncommunicable diseases and premature deaths.

The Impact of Commercial Determinants on Health Inequality

The commercial determinants of noncommunicable diseases contribute to health inequality by targeting vulnerable populations with their harmful products. These industries exploit loopholes in regulations to maximize their profits, regardless of the detrimental effects on public health. As a result, marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by preventable diseases and health conditions, further widening the gap between the rich and the poor.

The Role of Government in Protecting Public Health

It is crucial for the government to prioritize public health over corporate interests and implement policies that promote well-being for all citizens. By holding big businesses accountable for their harmful practices and advocating for evidence-based interventions, policymakers can create a healthier environment for everyone. Additionally, transparency and accountability in decision-making processes are essential to ensure that public health remains a top priority in government agendas.

In conclusion, the resistance against industry’s ‘killer tactics’ is essential to protect public health and prevent unnecessary suffering and premature deaths. By addressing the root causes of preventable diseases and advocating for policies that prioritize well-being over profits, we can create a healthier future for generations to come. It is time for governments and policymakers to take a stand against corporate interests and prioritize the health and well-being of their populations.