5. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services: The Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report 2016-17

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:03 pm on 6 February 2018.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 5:03, 6 February 2018

Thank you, and I want to start by recognising the consistent concern that Mick Antoniw has expressed in this particular area, as well as generally across parties. The evidence on the scale of the problem and what our most effective response is is really important. I recognise we have some evidence and a building picture, but to move beyond anecdote to understand not just the survey evidence, but then to that point about the challenge and what is the most effective response if you would like a treatment response if someone presents as being a problem gambler, and the report recognises that we don't yet, in this area, have an effective consensus on what the right response is, because, actually, it's unlikely to be a pharmaceutical intervention.

This is more about the field of talking and supporting people, and that in itself is challenging, about understanding what is the right sort of intervention. The report looks at brief interventions, it looks at work that we're doing. We want to get involved with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, for example, on work that they recognise they need to develop in this area to support health and care services for people who do have problems with gambling. But in particular, I do recognise your particular point at the end, not just about—. Almost all of us in this place, I'm sure, will wish Newport well against Spurs. I recognise the Member's longstanding loyalty is in a different direction.

But this point about advertising, and the ubiquitous nature of advertising—so many different events. It is hard to ignore. If you think back about where we are now with sport, it wasn't that long ago that alcohol was advertised in sport in a way that was—. It was odd, wasn't it? Almost as if you were being encouraged to drink lots, whilst you were at a sporting game, and to look at the physical activity and prowess of people on the pitch. And before that, tobacco was regularly associated with advertising all sorts of sporting events. Fast food still is. Even fast food, they are looking to change it. There is still a challenge about all these different areas of activity and their willingness to be associated with sport, because they recognise the power of sport and advertising and what it can do for their products. So, as the report recognises at point 6.4 in the chief medical officer's report, there is a need to look at controls on advertising of gambling. That is something we do need to continue to have conversations with the UK Government about.