WIREDGOV

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, responds to new rules announced today by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) banning the advertising of high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) food or drink products in children's media.

"Reducing children's exposure to food and drink that is high in salt and sugar is one way in which we can tackle the childhood obesity crisis, and councils support the new rules introduced by CAP.

"We are also pleased CAP has backed our call for these ads to be banned from online ‘advergames' targeting children.

"Research shows that marketing and advertising can be a big influence on young people's choice of food and drink.

"In addition to these new rules, government can help councils – who are responsible for public health - by giving them the power to ban junk food advertising near schools, nurseries and children's centres, if local authorities, parents and head teachers felt it was an issue in their area.

"It is not right that advertising unhealthy foods is unacceptable within the confines of the school building, but not outside.

"We need to take decisive, radical action if we are to reverse the rising levels of childhood obesity in this country."

View CAP report here

Notes

1. Councils raise public health concerns over food firms' online games for children

2. Give councils powers to ban junk food advertising near schools and nurseries, say town halls