Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic - London

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Annex 1
BMA policy on adolescent health
The British Medical Association has policies on topics relating to adolescent health. Those that are most
important to the topics discussed are listed below. The term ‘this Meeting’ refers to the annual meeting of
the BMA’s representative body. The representative body is the BMA’s main policy making body made up
of nearly 600 elected members.
Nutrition, exercise and obesity
That this Meeting recognises the importance of diet to health and calls for national food and agricultural
policies which take account of health issues in production, advertising, labelling and pricing of food.
[1984]
Smoking
That this Meeting regrets that the government is not acting forcefully or rapidly enough to reduce
cigarette smoking in the country. It suggests:
(i) a ban on smoking in public places
(ii) a ban on advertising in or on shops
(iii) stronger penalties for shopkeepers who serve under 16s with cigarettes. [1999]
That this Meeting views with increasing concern the apparent indifference of teenagers to the dangers of
smoking and calls upon the BMA to press the new government to redouble its effort in campaigns to curb
smoking in this age group. [1997]
That this representative body asks that:
(i) the BMA should press for a significant health tax to be added to the cost of each packet of
cigarettes
(ii) government should legislate to ensure tobacco smoke-free public buildings. [1994]
That this Meeting asks the government to do everything in its power to reduce tobacco smoking by:
(a) complying with EC directive on tobacco advertising
(b) removing tobacco from the cost of living index so that fiscal measures could be taken without
detriment
(c) specifically targeting anti-smoking in primary schools
(d) reducing smoking in public places. [1992]
That the minimum legal age for the sale of tobacco and tobacco products should be raised to 18 years.
[1984]
That this Meeting puts its full weight behind the BMA in pressing the government for immediate
implementation of the tobacco advertising directive. [1998]
That this Meeting recommends a total ban on tobacco advertising. [1997]
That this representative body believes that the advertising of tobacco should cease. [1992]
British Medical Association Adolescent health