BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: The UK Government has made progress in reducing smoking; however disparities persist among certain populations, who also face harm from alcohol and obesity with commercial determinants of health (CDoH) playing a key role in prevalence. Despite synergies, policies have been developed in silos without addressing the clustering of risk factors. Effective solutions involve upstream measures to reduce the availability, affordability, and marketing of unhealthy products, but progress is hampered by industry lobbying.
There is increasing focus on addressing the CDoH, with WHO advocating for governments to act. In 2022, Action on Smoking and Health, the Alcohol Health Alliance, and the Obesity Health Alliance commenced a collaboration to advocate for a comprehensive prevention strategy targeting tobacco, alcohol, and obesity, with an aligned approach to tackling the commercial drivers.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: The three organisations worked together to develop a shared narrative, centring the role of businesses producing harmful commodities and identifying common policy approaches. The collaboration focused on engaging policymakers via advocacy approaches and the development of reports, polling and policy submissions.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: A prevention policy framework developed by the collaboration has been positively received by policymakers and is being adapted for use in two English regions. The framework, polling, and an economic analysis were combined into the 'Holding Us Back' report, launched at a Parliamentary event attended by Parliamentarians. The 'Killer Tactics' report, which exposed industry lobbying tactics, gained media coverage and strong webinar engagement, indicating public interest in the issue.
The new UK government has identified tobacco, obesity, and alcohol as health priorities and met with collaboration representatives. Following the collaborations success, additional funding has been secured for continued advocacy.
CONCLUSIONS: A coherent policy approach to tobacco, alcohol, and obesity can reduce harm and health inequalities. Further work is needed to articulate the benefits of integrated strategies and protect policy development from industry interference.