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Cancer Council call on WA to ban junk food advertising on buses

Cancer Council WA have urged the WA government to prioritise implementing a junk food advertising policy that has been left 'in limbo' since 2022
perth western australia

Earlier this month, the South Australia government announced advertisements depicting unhealthy products such as chocolate bars, soft drinks, and fast food are set to be banned from SA public transport.

The nation-first move has garnered plenty of support across the country, with Cancer Council WA now calling on Western Australia to jump onboard the movement.

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“Congratulations to the South Australian Government for being the first in Australia to restrict unhealthy food advertising on government transit assets,” a Cancer Council WA statement reads.

“While we commend this progress, it’s disappointing that Western Australia has not been the first to make this announcement.

“Research shows 77 per cent of food and drink ads on Perth school buses promote unhealthy options, exposing children to up to 70 such ads daily.”

The statement called out an ‘in limbo’ policy that was first introduced in 2021 that would see a restriction of junk food advertising on state property.

In 2022, the current health minister announced progress, yet there has been no further announcement or update.

“Cancer Council WA urge the Cook Government to prioritise finalising and implementing it,” the statement reads.

“This policy has overwhelming public support, with 79 per cent of West Australians wanting unhealthy food ads removed from public transport.

“Evidence shows it could improve health outcomes, save $166 million in healthcare costs over 30 years, and generate $1.9 billion in economic value, as modelled by Deakin University.”

A coalition of public health and medical NGOs, led by Cancer Council, has publicly called for such a policy and sought meetings with government departments and Members of Parliament since the release of the Sustainable Health Review Final Report in 2019.

“The health of our young people should not be held to ransom by political maneuvering or industry pressures,” Cancer Council WA says.

“We call on the Cook Government to support such a policy, as this is an action that says loud and clear – children should be afforded the maximum protection from exposure to predatory, ubiquitous advertising for highly processed, unhealthy food and drinks.

“Let’s follow South Australia’s lead and make WA a state where children are protected from pervasive advertising for unhealthy foods.”

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