CIEH responds to the White Paper on public health

November 16, 2004 - CIEH PRESS RELEASE

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has welcomed the publication of the White Paper on public health as a positive step forward, but has expressed its disappointment about the government's decision not to ban smoking in all enclosed public places.

Commenting on the White Paper, Graham Jukes, CIEH chief executive, said: "Overall we are very pleased with and enthusiastic about the White Paper and the government's drive to improve the nation's health and well-being through preventative public health measures, which the CIEH has long promoted.

The environmental health profession will play a unique and crucial role in ensuring the success of these proposals. The CIEH will work with government to encourage them to utilise the experience and expertise of the profession in improving housing conditions, food safety and nutrition, workplace health and safety and the environment.

However the CIEH remains very concerned that lives will continue to be put at risk following the decision of the government not to enforce a total smoking ban all enclosed places.

What the government's proposals on smoking in public places does is to protect the health and well being of employees working in some pubs while others will not be protected. The CIEH will continue to call for a total ban.

We strongly support the government's decision to address issues such as obesity, nutrition and improved labelling of food.

Providing transparent information to guide consumers in making healthier food choices, and tightening controls on promoting food and drink to children offer new tools for tackling obesity. We are concerned, however, that whilst participation remains voluntary there must be some doubt as to whether they will be fully effective.

We are encouraged to see that the key role of environmental health practitioners in delivering health improvements has been recognised and a CIEH supported healthy eating award has been highlighted in the White Paper."

ENDS

Notes to editors:
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is the professional voice for environmental health. It ensures the highest standards of professional competence in its members, in the belief that through environmental health action people's health can be improved

For more information on the White Paper on public health visit the Department of Health's website

The CIEH represents over 10,000 members working in the public, private and non-profit sectors
For further information contact Andrew Hamadanian in the CIEH PR Unit on 020 7827 5922, via email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the CIEH website - www.cieh.org