Advertisements depicting unhealthy products such as chocolate bars, soft drinks, and fast food are set to be banned from South Australia public transport, in a nation-first move.
From 1 July 2025, advertising for junk food will not be permitted on Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams, a move the government says is designed to tackle the growing obesity problem in the state, after research found over a third of all South Australian children are overweight or obese.
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Obesity has overtaken tobacco as the leading risk factor contributing to disease burden in Australia. In 2024, overweight and obesity attributed to the burden of over 30 diseases and accounted for 8.3 percent of total disease burden in Australia.
Around 63.1 per cent of adults and 35.2 per cent of children across South Australia are overweight or obese.
Modelling by Preventive Health SA indicates that if no action is taken, children born in 2023 could see as much as a seven-month reduction in life expectancy because of obesity.
Data from Cancer Council SA shows that almost 80 per cent of food and drink advertisements on South Australian buses advertises unhealthy food and drinks.
“Each year, big brands spend millions of dollars on catchy slogans and appealing ads to encourage South Australian children to consume more highly processed foods containing high fat, high salt and high sugar,” SA health minister Chris Picton says.
“Banning these ads in some of the key places they are seen regularly – especially by children – is a sensible step towards a healthier South Australia.”
Picton says food habits and relationships established early in life “have a lasting impact” on the health outcomes of adults.
“The rising rates of obesity are concerning, which is why we have developed an evidence-based policy to restrict the advertising of unhealthy food and drinks on State Government buses and trams,” Picton says.
“This policy recognises that the cumulative exposure of unhealthy food and drink advertising influences a child’s food preferences and intake and the associated pester power children use to persuade parents.”
Cancer Council SA prevention and advocacy manager Christine Morris says minimising unhealthy food and drink advertising can lead to better health outcomes for everyone.
“Our research shows that forming the foundations of positive nutrition preferences in children is a big step in overall cancer prevention.
“We heartily welcome this ban as a positive move towards a healthier community.”
Preventive Health SA, in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, are leading the implementation of this policy which aims to reduce exposure to unhealthy food and drink marketing which is associated with a reduction in the purchase of these products.
This evidence-based policy has been informed by a public consultation process, which sought to understand the perspective and feedback of key stakeholders including public health organisations, the food and beverage industry, and the advertising industry.
The changes follow the implementation of similar policies in London, Amsterdam, and the Australian Capital Territory.
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