Benefits and Bypasses.

I don't think the message is getting across because the government doesn't have the resources to fund a multi-million pound marketing campaign to counteract that of the food industry. And this, and previous governments, have been too gutless to stand up to the food industry and insist that it behaves responsibly and shows some concern for people's health instead of just its own profits.

rosequartz , yes it was those who do isolate them as prone to obesity I was speaking to. Some just do not listen to this underclass and I mean listen

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However, if we are talking about 'class' then I would say that obesity occurs across the class divide.

It is not just 'the poor on benefits' who may get depressed.
They do not have ownership of feelings of hopelessness and 'reaching for the biscuit packet' as you put it.
And why mention violin lessons if it had nothing to do with the argument. Poor children whose families are on benefits are not excluded from the joys (or otherwise) of violin lessons.
I was just trying to point out that it is all a lot more complex than coming down to 'class' ' poverty' and 'benefits'.

You also need to look at the people with the power.
This man is not going to agree to a tax on sugar, I do not think.

"Iain Ferguson is the lead non-executive board member for the department, and was appointed in January 2012.

He is Chairman of Wilton Park, an agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He also holds the following posts:

non-executive director for Balfour Beatty plc, Davis Service Group plc and Gregg’s plc
member of the PWC (UK llp) advisory board

Iain is also a member of the Foresight Global Food and Farming project, the Better Regulation Strategy Group and the Honorary Vice-President of the British Nutrition Foundation. He was CEO of Tate & Lyle plc from May 2003 until the end of 2009, and previously worked with Unilever for 26 years."

He is on the board of Defra.

I agree Eloethan

Many of these firms are totally irresponsible.

rosequartz , children from poor families are excluded from violin lessons etc because they exclude themselves , not so sure about the joys, remembering one on the Cello and one on the flute at the same time . I weep for these children in the underclass of this country because one can see they are preparing to be the next generation of the underclass of the UK .

DS excluded himself from violin lessons. Probably wise.

Sorry, not making a post in jest, just remembering.

Local authorities are making massive cuts in the amount of money allocated for music education because they feel they must prioritise "essential" services as far as is possible.

Often wished my daughters had rosequartz

We couldn't afford a fullsize violin for DD1 when the time came to buy one, so she gave up which is what happens often I think.
Music lessons are well funded in Wales - in primary anyway as far as I know.

Going back to the subject of smoking which was in the OP, this is happening in the rest of the world now. If you do not want our government to be sued next, sign up.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uruguay_vs_big_tobacco_wa_ctrl/?bkHcnjb&v=56744