Should We Use Regulation to Demand Improved Public Health Outcomes from Industry?

Opposing views on whether should people use regulation to demand improved public health outcomes for industry are presented. Here, Sugarman argues that setting targets for companies will produce innovative solutions. A performance based regulation will enable the most innovative and nimble aspects of private enterprises to be called in. Through performance based regulation, the government tells businesses what outcomes it wants from them and leaves them to work out the best ways of attaining those regulatory targets. On the other hand, Pramming believes collaboration is the best way to improve health. He also notes that if regulation succeeded in forcing businesses to promote better portion control or pedestrianism or healthier snack foods, such efforts are not guaranteed to change behaviors. Civil authorities build bike lanes that do not, alone, change traffic patterns: this is about a more fundamental sociocultural change.