National advertising body slams plans to ban junk food advertising on public transport
The South Australian government’s proposed ban on advertising junk food on public transport has been met with resistance from the national advertising body.
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) and the Outdoor Media Association (OMA) have both slammed the ban, claiming it “will be ineffective and does not address the complex and deeply embedded root causes of obesity”.
AANA CEO, Josh Faulks, said: “Experience from around the world indicates that similar advertising bans have not been effective in reducing obesity rates.
“Considering the anticipated impact on both the community and the industry, it is crucial that the South Australian government provide evidence demonstrating where such measures have successfully reduced obesity worldwide.
“Australia enforces some of the world’s strictest regulations for advertising occasional food or drinks, effectively prohibiting their promotion to children.
“We also know from recent Nielsen research that 65% of Australians felt that additional restrictions are unnecessary and 74% want health education and subsidies for healthy food over additional bans, emphasising the importance of informed decision-making.”
The bodies also pointed to a recent Deloitte study that shows $352 million of public infrastructure across Australian communities is built and maintained by the marketing industry.
“This ban will lead to a reduction in the investment in the operation and maintenance of South Australia’s public transport network,” Faulks noted, “leaving Government and commuters to wear the burden of the cost for these services.
“It will also make it difficult for some providers to advertise at some South Australia’s iconic events like Tasting Australia.”
The industry bodies are calling on the South Australian government to reconsider their decision, and instead collaborate with the marketing industry “to improve the health of South Australians”.
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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What’s considered junk food? Will they ban soft drink and chocolate bar and basically anything with preservatives in a packet? It’s a joke. Why don’t you start at alcohol and gambling.
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So the AANA and OMA are slamming an outdoor advertising ban on junk food as being ineffective on one hand, but actively promote outdoor advertising as an effective way to sell practically anything on the other.
Sounds to me like they’re trying to have their burger, fries and nuggets and eat them too.
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