[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough].

  • Greenwich (London, England). Metropolitan Borough.
Date:
[1962?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/176 (page 9)
    9 Royal College of Physicians, in October, published a study on this subject and a precis of their findings and recommendations appears in the main report. Despite the irrefutable evidence of the dangers of cigarette smoking the tobacco manufacturers show no disposition to take any serious measures to reduce the consumption of tobacco among the vulnerable age groups. Indeed the contrary is true. I venture to suggest that there has been more money spent on publicity and advertising this year than in any previous year and even further inducements are being considered. Already there is an indication that the main manufacturers are including gift tokens and other direct and indirect bribes to increase tobacco sales. One can only hope that the modest efforts of health authorities in bring ing the facts about cigarette smoking to public notice will have some effect on tobacco consumption especially among the younger generation. Irksome smoking restrictions in places of entertain ment and on public transport act only as irritants to the public who, in a free society must be allowed to make their own choice in matters which affect them solely as individuals. Legislation coming into force during the year has been included in the report but a brief word must be said about the new Housing Act, 1961. This Act gives valuable new powers to local authorities particularly in regard to houses in multiple occupa tion or occupied by members of more than one family. Certain discretion is now given to local authorities to prescribe maximum numbers of occupants and to insist on reasonable standards of amenities in order to prevent or alleviate squalid conditions. As yet there is no indication that such houses constitute a serious problem in our Borough but isolated cases do come to our attention where conditions are appalling and where the new powers given to the authority will be of great assistance. I would commend to readers the chapters on food inspection and the progress which is being made in extending Smoke Control areas. It is hoped to cover the whole Borough by 1970 and great efforts will be made to meet that target. Services for the old people continue to expand and improve. Another lady visitor was engaged and there are now three Public Health Officers in the department, one of whom has important inspectorial duties relating to hygiene. The new Bathing Station was opened in October and a full description of the building and its services has been included. It is a fine building, well designed, and is proving of immense value to the Borough. Many people have made notable contributions to this report. Figures relating to the personal health services have been kindly