Junk food advertising under scrutiny again as teal MP Dr Sophie Scamps pushes for ban
Junk food advertising has again come under scrutiny as a bill to restrict it from TV and radio for most of the day will be introduced to the parliament on Monday by teal MP, Dr Sophie Scamps.
The bill, known as The Healthy Kids Advertising Bill 2023, is looking to remove junk food ads on TV and radio between 6am and 9.30pm. Additionally, the bill will also look to ban junk food marketing on social media and other online environments altogether.
Dr Sophie Scamps
Under the proposed regulations, broadcasters, internet service providers, and food companies that fail to adhere to the guidelines will be met with substantial fines.
However, the bill does not cover print or outdoor advertising, sports sponsorship, nor content shared by food and beverage companies on their own websites and social media channels.
Dr Scamps, a former GP and emergency room doctor, said she was compelled to act due to the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity and chronic disease.
“We know our children are exposed to over 800 junk food ads on TV alone every year, and that there is a direct link between those ads and childhood obesity. The current restrictions are not strong enough, and self-regulation is just not working,” she said.
“If we continue to stand by while children are deluged by junk food advertising on social media and on TV, then we are failing them.”
On a state level, Queensland announced in 2019 that it will ban junk food and alcohol ads at government-owned outdoor sites in an effort to combat childhood obesity.
However, the previous Morrison Government had said that there were no plans for a junk food ad ban on a federal level, commenting that “advertising that promotes lawful products and services should not be unduly restricted.”
The bill is supported by fellow independent MP Dr Monique Ryan, and organisations including the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Dietitians Australia, the Cancer Council, the Food for Health Alliance and the Public Health Association of Australia. It is said to have been developed in consultation with public health and marketing experts across Australia.
Dr Scamps said that over 40 countries around the world already have regulations in place for junk food advertising and that she wants to “see Australia join this list”.
“I’ve been heartened by conversations I’ve had with members of the Albanese Government as well as public comments made by the Communications Minister, and believe there is genuine political will to address this issue.
“Regulating junk food adverts on our TV screens and in our social media feeds will have a direct impact on the dietary decisions of Australians – including our kids – and can help both reduce childhood obesity and the incidence of chronic diseases.”
In other areas, the government is also under pressure to introduce stricter regulations on online betting ads via a recent parliamentary inquiry. In the media industry, The Guardian is one publisher that took the leap and will now refuse all gambling ad revenue.
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Darcy Song was a reporter at Mumbrella, covering media owners, adtech and social platforms. She left in October 2023.
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The government (State or Federal) thinks that by stopping fast food advertising childhood obesity will be resolved. However, they fail to recognise and address the bigger picture and causes, which are within their control.
For example:
1. Cost of Sport – the cost these days to play soccer, rugby, cricket or just a normal mainstream sport is ridiculous not to mention the cost of equipment and uniforms. This is despite most states offering fair play vouchers. This cost is why parents revert to buying gaming consoles or computers to give to their kids for entertainment. Much cheaper than the cost of sport.
Cost-effective sport will result in fitter and more active kids.
2. Road Congestion / Poor Public Transport – when parents are caught in congestion on the roads or slow public transport they instantly become time poor. They know that when they get home they have to do the laundry, bath them, prepare their lunches for the next day, complete homework and engage with them, of course the one part of that night that can be outsourced is the dinner.
Improved roads and public transport will result in time rich parents who can cook for their family and not rely on fast food.
I think there are many other focus points for childhood obesity to be addressed before we get to restricting / banning fast food advertising.
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Stop expecting the government to solve all your problems. Government intervention causes them, not solve them
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I agree with you insofar as the government should use a range of measures to drive down obesity amongst children (1 in 4 kids in Aus are obese btw). Limiting exposure to messages about unhealthy food is definitely one of them. To suggest that improving roadways and public transport because it improves healthy eating in the home is more of a priority than removing messages around unhealthy food is laughable.
Advertising has a measurable effect on obesity rates amongst kids and should be limited or banned. It’s one of many measures that should be employed to improve public health.
https://www.obesityevidencehub.org.au/collections/prevention/the-impact-of-food-marketing-on-children
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Which state are you from? Florida or Texas? Government “intervention” has a long history of driving positive public health outcomes. In fact, lack of regulation has led to far, far more horror stories in public health than any government policy and regulation. Comments like yours are best saved for echo chambers of extremist anti-government, pro-individualistic forums like Twitter and FB.
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