Lifestyles help explain variations in CVD and diabetes across OECD countries. Chapter 2 looks at the health promotion and public health contribution to maintaining healthy lifestyles in OECD countries. It examines recent trends in obesity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and physical exercise. This chapter outlines policies that health systems have introduced recently to combat unhealthy lifestyles such as tobacco consumption and high salt intake and to promote physical activities in adults and children in order to reduce overweight and obesity.