Queensland government plans to phase out junk food and alcohol advertising on government owned sites including the rail network, bus shelters, roadsides and major hospitals has been applauded.
QLD now joins the ACT, Victoria and WA in moving to protect children from exposure to harmful industry advertising, according to the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA).
“Banning unhealthy food and beverage ads is not going to solve the problem on its own but is an essential first step. Banning these ads is a fairly easy first step because it doesn’t cost state governments any revenue,” PHAA member and public health nutritionist Rosemary Stanton said.
The PHAA called on other states to do more and for the Commonwealth to step up by taking a stronger interest in and action on childhood obesity.