Smoke-free parks, a ban on junk food outlets near schools and Oyster card discounts for commuters who walk to work are among measures unveiled to make London ‘the healthiest major global city’.
London Health Commission’s report, Better Health for London, also proposes handing boroughs the power to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol.
The Commission, chaired by former health minister Lord Darzi, believes the plan can make the capital the world’s healthiest major city within a decade.
Other recommendations include mandatory traffic light labelling on the menus of restaurant chains and speeding up air quality measures.
The Mayor should use his byelaw powers to make Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square smoke free,’ he said. ‘It would be a powerful message for the iconic centre of our city and the political heart of our country to become smoke free. What better way to show our city’s ambition to be the healthiest major global city?
‘A smoke free London will be better for us all. A better example for children. Fewer opportunities for smokers to smoke. Less litter. More green and more pleasant places for us to come together for better health.’