A third of people would like to see gambling banned, research has found, as it was suggested that voters support so-called “nanny state” measures to improve public health.

A report by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) think tank says that British people are in favour of stricter rules and regulations and want ministers to take action on issues including obesity, alcohol, diet and exercise.

The research, which looked at opinion polls published since the start of 2015, found that the policies most likely to be supported were those that benefited children or restricted gambling.

The think tank spoke of a “mounting public health crisis” in which 40 per cent of premature deaths are linked to smoking, drinking, poor diet or lack of exercise.

Dr Aveek