Jump to full article: The Guardian (uk), 2009-07-02
Author: | Life and style | The Guardian
Intro: Mr M. Lipton (Lab.) asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the House of Commons yesterday what action he would take to co-ordinate the work of Government departments in publicising the danger of lung cancer caused by smoking.
Mr Lipton: Is it not cowardly or at least half-hearted for the Government to leave the whole of this important task to local councils? Aren't you well qualified to conduct a nation-wide campaign?
Dr Hill: The statutory responsibility of health education rests on local authorities and they can and will engage in health education on this subject.
Stopping smoking [leader]
What are the heavy smokers among us to do now? "Stop smoking," is the simple answer, but it is unlikely that a public pronouncement will have a dramatic effect on habits ingrained over several years. So it is natural to look to the Government for help. In many ways the Government has already done a good deal. The public endorsement given last week to the proposition that smoking can cause lung cancer should have some effect.
The Government's only fault has been that of procrastination. . . .
These are only some of the pitfalls in the way of direct action by the Government. It is all very well calling it "cowardly and half-hearted". But what steps do the critics propose?
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