UK: Survey reveals public support for bold health policies

Majority of UK population supports ambitious policies to improve health, poll finds[1]This includes measures such as banning smoking in outdoor areas, imposing taxes on manufacturers of food products high in sugar and salt, and banning alcohol advertising at sporting events.

Inadequacy of current policies

The Nuffield Trust think tank has warned that the 2012 National Alcohol Strategy no longer reflects current reality, highlighting a rise in alcohol-related deaths, with 8,274 expected in England by 2023. Adam Briggs of the Health Foundation said that without a bolder policy on alcohol, tobacco, and junk food, the government risks failing to achieve its public health objectives.

Currently in the UK, an estimated 11.9% of adults smoke, 55% of men and 41% of women drink alcohol each week, and more than 60% of adults aged 16 and over are obese or overweight.

To gauge public opinion and determine whether the population's views on these topics coincide with expert analysis, a survey was conducted between November 21 and 27, 2024, using the random online panel Ipsos Knowledge Panel.[2]A representative sample of 2,198 people aged 16 and over was surveyed in the UK, stratified by nation and education level, with a response rate of 58%. Some results presented relate only to respondents from England, with a base of 1,686. Data were weighted to match the target profile, taking into account selection probabilities, region, gender, age, education, ethnicity, social deprivation, and the number of adults in the household.

Poll shows support for strong health policies

The survey presents respondents with eight government interventions, asking, "To what extent do you support or oppose government intervention in the following areas of public health?" They can then choose to support, oppose, remain neutral, or not know. The eight interventions are:

1. Extend the indoor smoking ban to certain outdoor spaces to protect children and vulnerable people, including playgrounds, schools and hospitals.
2. Introduce a tax on organizations that produce foods high in sugar or salt, with part of the revenue used to fund the distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables to low-income families.
3. Reduce the number of retailers authorized to sell tobacco on site to limit the availability of tobacco.
4. Give local councils the power to restrict advertising of unhealthy food and alcohol on advertising space not owned by local councils.
5. Limit fast food establishments in areas near schools
6. Extend the indoor smoking ban to outdoor areas in the hospitality and catering sector, including outdoor areas of pubs, restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes.
7. Ban the sale of alcoholic products at sporting events
8. Apply a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, to prevent the sale of alcohol at low prices.

The survey found that 73% of respondents support banning smoking in areas such as playgrounds, outside schools, and around hospitals. Additionally, 61% of respondents support reducing the number of retailers licensed to sell tobacco products to limit availability, and 49% would support banning smoking in outdoor public places, such as the terraces of pubs, restaurants, bars, clubs, and cafes.

On unhealthy food, 62% of respondents support a tax on products high in sugar and salt, with the proceeds used to fund fresh fruit and vegetables for low-income families. On alcohol, 46% of respondents support the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol, similar to what has been implemented in Scotland and Wales. 48% of respondents would also support a ban on alcohol advertising at sporting events.

Men and those intending to vote for Reform UK (a Conservative and Eurosceptic party) are significantly more likely to oppose all eight government interventions, while women are significantly more likely to support them.[3].

Adam Briggs added that some of the results show greater support for public action from people living in the least deprived areas of the UK: " If support still outweighs opposition in more deprived areas, it shows that, alongside implementing bolder policies, the government needs to engage with a wide range of communities to address real and perceived harms. ".

A call for a “tobacco-free generation”

Overall, the "tobacco-free generation" project appears to be gaining traction in the UK. A recent study conducted by Landman Economics on behalf of Action on Smoking and Health found an additional economic benefit to the UK by creating a smoke-free country, thus supporting the government's growth mission.

In addition, a health coalition has called on the UK government to limit the influence of commercial interests on public health.[4], the commercial determinants of health – that is, the strategies deployed by certain industries to promote harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol, or ultra-processed foods – directly contribute to the increase in chronic diseases and the deterioration of population health. Acting on these determinants is essential to effectively prevent health risks, reduce inequalities, and guarantee the right to health for all.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]Newton Storm, Public backs bold policies to improve health, survey finds, Independent, published April 7, 2025, accessed April 7, 2025

[2]The Health Foundation, Public backs action to tackle tobacco, unhealthy food and alcohol amidst health crisis, published April 7, 2025, accessed April 7, 2025

[3]Ipsos, The public are largely supportive of government public health interventions, published April 7, 2025, accessed April 7, 2025

[4]Tobacco-free generation, UK: Coalition urges MPs to reject gifts from tobacco, alcohol and junk food companies, published September 9, 2024, accessed April 8, 2025

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