Press Releases

Ian Mearns MP supports the International Diabetes Federation in raising awareness of diabetes in Parliament

The MP attended a diabetes testing event in Parliament following on from the success of World Diabetes Day held last November.

Diabetes is a significant and growing health issue, affecting over 300 million people world-wide. The IDF believes that, unless action is taken, this could rise to 500 million within a generation . The IDF and its member organisations - which include Diabetes UK - is working to improve the political and public awareness of the diabetes pandemic and the critical interventions that are necessary to counter it.

Around 2.9 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, but it is estimated that a further 850,000 people may be living with the condition without realising it . This means that around 1 in 16 people in the UK are living with the disease - or approximately 5,770 people in the average constituency. If diagnosed early, diabetes can be actively managed to help mitigate the serious consequences of the disease.

Mr Mearns had a diabetes test and met with healthcare professionals at a special event in Westminster to find out more about the disease. The event was held with the support of healthcare companies Bayer and Novo Nordisk.

Ian Mearns said:

"I'm delighted to be supporting the work of the International Diabetes Federation in raising awareness of diabetes in Parliament. Diabetes is a growing health problem both in the UK and around the world, but if it is detected early then it can be actively managed. I would encourage anyone who is concerned about diabetes to speak to their GP about having a blood glucose test, as I did yesterday. It only takes a few minutes, but it could save you years of illness."

Sir Michael Hirst, President-Elect of the IDF said:

"We welcome the support of Ian Mearns MP in raising awareness of diabetes through our parliamentary event. Last November millions of people around the globe came together to mark World Diabetes Day. We hope that the two-day event helps create further awareness in the UK of the condition and its consequences."

Commenting on the event, Viggo Birch, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk Ltd said:

"At Novo Nordisk, we are committed to fighting diabetes and advancing diabetes care for the benefit of the growing numbers of people living with the condition. The public, private and third sectors must continue working together to make progress in the fight against the diabetes pandemic. Awareness days such as this are a step towards ensuring that those living with this chronic disease in the UK, receive the optimum care that they truly deserve."

A Bayer spokesperson said:

"As a market leader in the field of blood glucose monitoring systems, Bayer is delighted to be involved in the International Diabetes Federation awareness day. Diabetes is an issue that affects people across the UK. By working closely with Members of Parliament, we hope they will take the message back to their constituents and aid in raising awareness."

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of over 200 national diabetes associations in over 160 countries. It represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes and those at risk. The IDF has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950.
Diabetes UK is a member of the International Diabetes Federation. It is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition. The charity's comprehensive website, www.diabetes.org.uk, provides a wealth of information about the condition. The charity also has a support helpline - Careline - for anyone with diabetes, their friends, family and carers which can be contacted on: 0845 120 2960*, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, or via email: careline@diabetes.org.uk. Or if you are in Scotland: carelinescotland@diabetes.org.uk
Bayer Diabetes Care is an arm of Bayer HealthCare dedicated to providing blood glucose meters and support materials designed to simplify the lives of people with diabetes and their healthcare professionals. For more information about Bayer Diabetes Care's work please go to: www.bayerdiabetes.co.uk.
Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 88 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit: www.novonordisk.com.

Gateshead MP calls for change to cigarette packaging to protect children

Ian Mearns MP poses in Westminster with a mock-up of how plain cigarette packs could look in the UK.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) are urging the government to put all cigarettes in plain packs with no attractive colours. Evidence shows young people find current packaging more attractive and the health warnings have less impact than on plain packs.

At a meeting hosted by the charities in Parliament this month (January 18), MPs watched a short film featuring the reactions of young people to current packaging and then plain packs. They also heard that more than a quarter of young smokers mistakenly believe one pack of cigarettes is healthier than another based on the pack design alone. Three quarters of young people think selling cigarettes in plain packs would make it easier for people to smoke less or quit.¹

Ian Mearns MP said:

"It's shocking that despite a ban on tobacco advertising, children are still being lured into a lifetime of addiction because of the way glitzy packaging makes cigarettes look so appealing.

"The reality is that smoking is a deadly addiction that kills half of smokers but many young people are simply unaware of this. Introducing plain packs would minimise the dangerous allure of cigarettes and reduce the chances of children starting to smoke."

^[1] From a BHF commissioned online OnePoll survey of 2,771 16-25 year olds conducted between October 21 and November 23, 2011.
The Government is due to launch a public consultation by spring 2012 on whether the UK should adopt plain packaging for tobacco products. The charities want the UK to follow Australia's lead where plain tobacco packs will be mandatory from December 2012.
For information on smoking rates in your area see: http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/item.aspx?RID=105580
The BHF is sending all MPs a report on cigarette packaging together with a mocked-up plain cigarette pack and a link to the film.
Watch the film: http://youtu.be/B-sE5RodJaU
For further information on the case for plain packaging visit: http://www.smokefreeaction.org.uk/plain-packaging.html
Examples of how plain packs in Australia will look can be viewed at: http://www.ashaust.org.au/lv3/action_plainpack.htm
Members of the public can support the UK campaign by signing a petition for plain packaging at www.bhf.org.uk/plainpackaging
For information on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health: see: http://www.ash.org.uk/APPG
The British Heart Foundation is the nation's heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. But we urgently need help. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease.