The debate will look at issues like smoking and obesity

He is seeking views on how the government should tackle issues like obesity, smoking and sexually transmitted infections.

Mr Reid has called for a public debate on how far the government should go to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The exercise is expected to inform a new white paper on public health later this year.

More responsibility

A report, published in December, warned the government that the cost of running the NHS could spiral over the next 20 years unless more people took responsibility for their own health.

In a speech to NHS trust chief executives in London, Mr Reid said he wanted the public, media, industry, voluntary groups and health professionals throughout England to take part in a debate on the issue.

We need a big debate Health Secretary John Reid

'We need a big debate about the relative roles of government, individuals and industries in tackling this vital challenge.

"We need to find the right balance, rejecting both the nanny state and the Pontius Pilate state which washes its hands of its citizens' health," he said.

"There are worrying trends in preventable conditions like obesity and sexually transmitted infections and still more can be done to prevent cancer and heart disease.

"We need to help everyone tackle these challenges to ensure we all get the long healthy lives we deserve."

The consultation exercise has echoes of the Labour Party's "Big Conversation", launched last year.

The party is canvassing the views of voters up and down the country on what its priorities should be if it wins the next general election.

'Health crisis'

Dr Peter Tiplady, chairman of the BMA's public health committee, welcomed this latest consultation exercise.

But he said the government could tackle many of the major public health problems straight away.

"Britain is facing a public health crisis on several fronts and government action is overdue. Some of the most urgent problems could be tackled straight away.

"At least a thousand people die each year as a result of passive smoking and a ban on smoking in public places would save lives.

"Ensuring that patients could have an appointment at a genito-urinary clinic within 48 hours would help tackle the rise in sexually transmitted infections.

"Giving children more access to exercise and healthy food would make them less susceptible to obesity."

Shadow Health Secretary Tim Yeo criticised the consultation exercise.

"We are very concerned that the government have been in office for over 6 years but do not have any answers to the country's public health problems.

"However, we are not surprised. Their public health record is damning."

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow accused the government of dithering.

"Labour has been far too complacent about the growing crisis in public health."

But Dame Yve Buckland, chair of the Health Development Agency, said: "We very much welcome the public consultation.