It is reported that the late Beatle, John Lennon, was invited to take part in a debate in the Oxford University Students’ Union, but that he declined on the grounds that he was only a heckler. Heckling is right up there with whining and nagging as problematic activities for public health practitioners. Rather, effective advocacy, well considered, based on evidence and effectively articulated is what is called for. Simon Chapman gives us good guidance in this month’s journal.¹