Daijiworld Media Network – Adelaide
Adelaide, Jan 12: South Australia (SA) has become the first state in Australia to ban junk food advertisements on public transport, a groundbreaking move aimed at combating obesity and encouraging healthier diets among residents.
Effective July 1, 2025, the ban will prohibit advertisements for unhealthy products such as chocolates, lollies, desserts, ice creams, soft drinks, and chips on public buses, trains, and trams, reports Xinhua News Agency.
Public health experts have long warned about the influence of food and drink marketing on children’s eating habits, citing its links to obesity and type 2 diabetes. “Junk food marketing has a really powerful, persuasive influence on what our children eat,” Jane Martin from the Food for Health Alliance told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Highlighting the prevalence of unhealthy advertisements, Martin noted the need for state-controlled measures. “This advertising builds up. It’s not just on TV or digital platforms; it’s also where children are, like when they commute to school. It would be wonderful to see healthy foods like broccoli and carrots promoted instead of fast-food deals,” she added.
Government statistics reveal that over 63 percent of adults and 35 percent of children in South Australia are overweight or obese. Without intervention, these figures are projected to rise by an additional 1,900 children and 48,000 adults in the next five years.
A study by the cancer council SA showed that nearly 80 percent of food and drink advertisements on SA buses promote unhealthy products, further justifying the state’s move.
The ban follows public consultations with key stakeholders, including public health organisations, the food and beverage industry, and the advertising sector. It aims to reduce exposure to unhealthy marketing and subsequently decrease the purchase of junk food.
South Australia’s bold initiative sets a precedent for other states, highlighting the critical need to protect children and families from the pervasive influence of unhealthy food advertising.