Public support remains strong for many public health interventions

Latest polling from the Health Foundation and Ipsos finds strong public support for a range of public health measures, particularly those focused on smoke-free spaces, food labelling, air quality and restrictions on unhealthy food advertising. The findings also suggest lower levels of support for some measures related to product pricing and limiting promotions.

The Health Foundation and Ipsos continue a programme of public polling research tracking public attitudes towards health and social care.

The latest survey (May 2026) explored public perceptions of the nation's health and wellbeing, as well as support for a range of public health policies. The findings show:

• Most of the public believe the nation's health is not getting any better: Half (50%) of the public think the nation's health and wellbeing has worsened over the past year and 37% think it has stayed about the same, while just 7% think it has improved. Only 14% think the government has the right policies in place to improve health and wellbeing, compared with 49% who disagree
• Strong support for measures focused on healthy environments: More than three quarters (77%) support extending smoke-free restrictions to outdoor areas where children and vulnerable people gather, while 71% support banning e-cigarette or vape use in public places and 70% support stricter air quality controls.
• Many people support government intervention on information and advertising measures: Mandatory front-of-pack food labelling receives support from 78% of the public, while 63% support tighter restrictions on unhealthy food advertising. A further 60% support a tax on manufacturers of foods high in fat, sugar or salt if revenues are used to fund fruit and vegetables for low-income families.
• Support is lower for some pricing and promotion policies: Four in ten (40%) support banning multibuy offers on unhealthy foods, while views on banning alcohol multibuy promotions are more evenly split (38% support vs. 37% oppose). Support for minimum unit pricing for alcohol stands at 43%.

The findings are published alongside new analysis from the Health Foundation examining public attitudes towards public health interventions and their implications for policymakers.

Read more and download the slide pack from The Health Foundation’s website here. 

Technical note

The survey was conducted between 21 and 26 May 2026 using Ipsos' UK KnowledgePanel, a random probability online panel. We surveyed 2,214 people aged 16 years and older in the UK. A response rate of 53% was achieved. The sample was reviewed on key demographics to ensure a balanced sample was selected. Weighting was applied to the data to ensure the survey results are as representative of the UK population as possible. Calibration weighting was applied to region and an interlocked variable of Gender by Age; and demographic weights were applied to Education, Ethnicity, Index of Multiple Deprivation (quintiles), and number of adults in the household.