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UK MPs Urged to Reject Freebies from Tobacco, Alcohol, and Junk Food Firms Amid Public Health Concerns
UK MPs are being encouraged to cease taking complimentary tickets to sporting and cultural events from tobacco, alcohol, and junk food companies, as their goods cause so much illness and death.
More than 100 health organisations are pushing British MPs to refuse offers of gifts and hospitality from “unhealthy products industries” because they employ a variety of deceptive strategies to conceal the harm they cause in order to safeguard their sales.
The coalition of physicians’ associations, health charities, and children’s organisations has challenged Keir Starmer to follow through on his vow to restore integrity to public life by prohibiting such corporations from lobbying MPs with gifts that could expose them to conflicts of interest.
The prime minister announced plans to limit smoking in public spaces, including pubs, restaurants, and footpaths, to address the UK’s rising illness rate and support the NHS.
Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA), stated: “Alcohol, tobacco, and poor eating are the three leading causes of death in our country, with alcohol alone taking 10,000 lives in 2022 – the worst on record.
“MPs are expected to make decisions based on the best interests of their constituents, but we know that lobbying tactics such as receiving gifts and benefits from these industries can lead to a conflict of interest and impartiality being compromised.”
The AHA, the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA), and Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) have released a new joint report outlining the “killer tactics” used by the three industries to gain political clout and thwart efforts to improve public health by cracking down on smoking, drinking, and poor diet.
They claim that tactics “to cultivate allies” include downplaying the harm their products cause, using legal threats to delay policies aimed at reducing that damage, such as plain cigarette packaging and minimum unit pricing of alcohol, distorting scientific evidence, using front groups to advance their arguments, and providing MPs with gifts, benefits, and hospitality.
“While in many cases MPs may perceive there to be little harm in accepting a ticket for a sporting event or passing on a concert ticket to a staff member, there is no such thing as a free lunch,” according to the paper.
“Businesses spend money because they feel it will benefit their financial interests. [However], it can create the appearance of a conflict of interest when MPs amend and vote on legislation that affects these corporations.” To promote transparency, MPs must declare any gifts worth more than £300.
Report Supported by Over 100 UK Health Organizations, Including Major Charities and Public Health Experts
The report’s 100-plus sponsors include the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, health charities such as Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, and public health experts such as the Faculty of Public Health.
Thérèse Coffey, then a Conservative MP, revealed in the members’ register of interests in August 2022 that she had taken a £922.80 ticket and hospitality from the pub and beer business Greene King for Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
Coffey, a long-time opponent of “nanny state” measures, was appointed health secretary in Liz Truss’ short-lived cabinet three weeks later, and she resisted several plans to promote public health.
Earlier this year, Giles Watling, the Tory MP for Clacton, disclosed hospitality worth £351.02 from Japanese Tobacco International. In May, he proposed revisions to the tobacco and vapes bill that would limit the proposed prohibition on cigarette purchases to people under the age of 21, rather than everyone born on or after January 1, 2009.
In a rare political intervention, the Budweiser Brewing Group paid £9,000 to sponsor a fundraising event for Labour general election candidates, including four who won on July 4th – Sarah Hall, Jo Platt, Elsie Blundell, and Kirith Entwistle.
Arden Strategies, a lobbying firm founded by former Labour minister Jim Murphy, planned and funded the event, which was attended by Lucy Powell, the House of Commons leader, who is now responsible for MPs’ conduct standards. Powell declined to comment on her presence at the Budweiser-sponsored event or have an opinion on the health groups’ ideas.
Diageo, which makes products including Johnnie Walker, has arranged dinners for MPs, including whisky tastings, while Heineken paid for tickets and hospitality for Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine and now-former Tory MP James Daly to attend a Six Nations rugby match.
KFC has asked Labour MPs and councillors to sample some of its “delicious, healthy” food, including salad boxes, twister wraps, and rice boxes, at one of its Liverpool outlets during the party’s annual conference next month. Those who go will be able to speak with the fast food company’s dietitian about how they are making their products healthier.
Wes Streeting, the health minister, has chastised KFC for employing legal techniques to dispute 45 local councils’ efforts to limit the number of fast food restaurants opening in their region.
Katharine Jenner, the OHA’s director, stated that successive administrations’ inability to reduce the prevalence of unhealthy food and drink in order to address the growing crisis of individuals who are dangerously overweight has contributed to an increase in obesity, heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes rates.
The OHA, AHA, and Ash also say that a “gap in regulation” permits MPs to take gifts worth less than £300, such as chocolate and gifts during site visits, and that “unhealthy product industries” can sponsor events in parliament.
According to YouGov polling, vast majorities of people want the government to be free of the influence of the tobacco (78%), alcohol (71%), and food and drink (71%), industries when developing health policy.
Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman association, an alcohol trade association, believes drink companies should be entitled to meet with MPs.
The Portman Group does not comment on corporate hospitality rules for public representatives, as this is a subject for parliamentary authorities.
However, it is critical for parliamentarians to be able to listen to a variety of opposing viewpoints, and we reject the narrow-minded principle of excluding alcohol producers from discussions where they have much to contribute, such as responsible marketing and encouraging moderate consumption of their products.”
The Food and Beverage Federation declined to respond.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.
Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”
The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”
Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.
Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.
The Prime Minister dances.
This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.
Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf
— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024
“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”
“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.
On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”
Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.
Pro-Palestinian protests
Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.
Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.
Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.
On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.
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The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.
The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.
The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.
“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”
According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.
Calgary Zoo Questioned
It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.
An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.
Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.
“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.
The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.
“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.
“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.
While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”
Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.
The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.
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Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.
Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.
The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.
According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.
While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.
Lotto Max History
Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.
The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.
Let’s have a look at the rules:
- Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
- Numbers cannot be repeated
- Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
- Each play buys 3 lines
- Each play costs $5
Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)
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