Working with organised crime to improve health: a modest proposal

Christmas is a time to set aside old enmities. Some of the most iconic images of the first world war are of British and German soldiers emerging from the trenches to play football.1 In recent years, we in the public health community have been engaged in our own struggles. Our opponents have been those organisations whose activities undermine health.2Initially, we focused on the tobacco manufacturers. This seemed to be going well, at least until they rearmed, deploying a new weapon, the e-cigarette. By labelling these products, deceptively, as a less harmful alternative for those concerned about the harm of their primary products, they were able to get a new generation addicted to nicotine.3 Then came the alcohol and soft drink producers, and now the betting companies.4 The calories in soft drinks could be burnt off by getting children to exercise more.5 The harms arising from alcohol and gambling affected only…