While most people say warnings about the dangers of smoking and obesity are a government task, they do not think the state should pay for help for smokers and the overweight, according to research by the national statistics office CBS.

Almost 70% think the government should promote good health but 64% say the state should not pay for weight reduction programmes and 60% oppose the introduction of a tax on fatty food.

Women are more likely to support healthy eating education than men.

Some 80% support the government’s efforts to warn about the risks of smoking and 60% support the introduction of higher taxes on tobacco. But again, 64% do not think the state should pay for anti-smoking treatments.