Ban Junk Food Advertising
Blog Post | Blog of Bob Brown
Wednesday 31st October 2007, 3:48pm
Today's cartoon is brought to you by the very serious issue of childhood obesity and junk food advertising.
The incidence of overweight and obesity among Australian children has increased rapidly in recent years and, at present, shows no sign of abating. (Approximately 1 in 6 children are overweight and 1.20 obese) It is linked to an increase in food consumption in general, an increase in junk food consumption in particular, and a decline in physical activity.
Childhood overweight and obesity leads to higher incidence of diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease. This is a multifaceted problem, but there is no doubt that increased consumption of junk foods, that is foods that are high in sugar, fat, or salt, is a substantial contributing factor.
In a recent survey of over 1600 Australians, 86 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement that there should be more limits on advertising to children.
Despite the widespread support for restrictions of junk food advertising from peak medical bodies, and the overwhelming public support for such restrictions, there has been no indication that the Howard Government is willing to address this problem. And Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has ruled out a ban on junk food advertising during children's television viewing hours.
Obesity among Australian children has been rising steadily for the last two decades, with around 7 per cent of children now facing significant life long health problems due to their weight.
The ban on junk food advertising during children's television viewing hours would cost the government nothing and save billions of dollars related to the costs of obesity.
Sign the petition to ban junk food advertising during children's television viewing hours at Sarah Hanson-Young's website.
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Comments
One would think that this
One would think that this issue would be a rare black-and-white case, to ban junk food advertising costs the government nothing as you point out, but returns dividends in prevented health issues later in life.
I fear that the inability of the government to act is symptomatic of a deeper issue relating to political donations. I can't remember the name of the lobby group, but it's something along the lines of 'United Foods Conglomerate' (I just made that up, either way, it sounds an awful lot like a Union, with Union Bosses to me), and they fill the Liberal party coffers with plenty of donations. It's no wonder then, that the government are slow, even stagnant, on this issue.
Corporate political donations and lobby groups are quite destructive to the democratic process in my opinion. Of course all/both major parties accept political donations from corporates, so neither is better than the other on this, but when policy is adopted by either or both parties, the healthily cynical person can't be sure whether donations were involved.
For all intents and purposes, its legally sanctioned bribery.
Not to mention that those
Not to mention that those involved with advertising and marketing firms (and the world of big business) tend to be Liberal voters; the government can't just go out and piss off advertisers even if advertisers' kids are affected by junk food advertising and the negative health impacts.
I would love it if Labor
I would love it if Labor announced that they were going to ban junk food commercials during children's prime time so that we can all listen to the weak arguments by the proponents of junk food advertising.
I strongly approve of this
I strongly approve of this move, however I won't be signing that petition, due to its wording.
I understand the reason why the petition wanted a ban on "all food" and not just "junk food" advertising. For example are macadamias classed as junk food or not - they contain 70% fat? I can not understand why beverages were left out of the petition. Why instill the power to decide what can and can't be advertised in the minister, and for that matter which minister, health, communication, education .... ?
Perhaps the actual proposed amendments clarrify everything, but the blurb assosciated with the petition on her website scared me away.
Bob, I am 100% with this
Bob, I am 100% with this move, but why not ban ads on alcohol too? alcoholism is a serious problem that affects Australians and commercials that are forced upon in a relentless manner, this alone just fuels excessive drinking, thats another issue I want the Greens to address.
Best of luck with the campaign.
One slight problem with
One slight problem with banning major advertising during kids programming times, is that the adds pay for the kids programs. Think seriously, would Ford, or a major bank advertise their productrs to kids. I would suggest that the quality of any kids programming would decrease dramatically if junk foods were not allowed to advertise during kids times. The commercial stations will definately not pay for programming out of their own pockets. Anyway, should it not be the parents responsibility to see that their kids eat the correct diet, it was when I had my 2 sons.
Grant, I'm sure toy
Grant, I'm sure toy companies would be happy to fill the gap left by the departure of junk food advertising. It's not like there's a shortage of products which are marketable to kids.
Sam, we could well see food
Sam, we could well see food corporations getting around a food advertisment ban by advertising toys instead. McDonalds and kindersuprise come to mind.
travel around australia
travel around australia today and it doesn't matter what large shopping centre you go into , you see the same mix of national or international known food outlets, what happened to the old fashion style individually owned take -away shop ? that served freshly prepared ingredients and grilled the product in front of you . the reason multi-national take -away food products are so popular is because they have the best locations in the country and the best advertising budgets. i call them the ten timers because just about every thing they sell is marked up about 10 times the cost price. example a $4 burger costs about 40 cents to make. the $2 drink costs about 20cents to make.
I suggest that junk food
I suggest that junk food advestising must be banned in all countries worldwide it is harmful to people and especailly little kids who eat alot of junk food at school they may have a chance of becoming obese and adults are the same .It is a waste of money to buy junk food and also some people may have many types of health promblems such as heart promblem,obesity,dealth and nutrion most people who eat alot of junk food have a highly chance of these incidents.
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