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There is a growing call for a ban on junk food advertising in Australia, with research showing that two-thirds of Australians support such a ban during children's viewing hours. This sentiment is echoed by the Australian Medical Association (AMA), which has urged the government to implement measures to promote healthy eating habits among children. The AMA's submission calls for a comprehensive approach, including a digital blackout of junk food ads and restrictions on television advertising and sponsorship. Evidence from other countries, such as Quebec in Canada, supports the effectiveness of statutory regulation in reducing children's exposure to unhealthy food marketing and their consumption of these foods. With concerns about obesity and the impact of advertising on children's health, the question of whether to ban junk food advertising in Australia is a pressing issue that requires careful consideration and collaboration between policymakers, health professionals, and the food industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Target audience | Young men, parents of children, and children themselves |
| Advertising platforms | Television, social media, billboards, radio, movie theatres, and direct mail |
| Advertising times | 6am-9am and 4pm-9pm on weekdays, 6am-12pm and 4pm-9pm on weekends, 6am-10pm |
| Public opinion | 66% of Australians want junk food ads banned, 69% feel children should not be featured in the advertisements |
| Government actions | The Australian Capital Territory government restricted promotion of junk food on its government-run bus service in 2015, The Queensland Government announced in 2018 that it would phase out junk food advertising in schools, sports grounds and public transport hubs |
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What You'll Learn
Junk food ads target children and young people
Junk food advertising is a major contributor to the normalisation of unhealthy eating habits among children and young people. Food companies spend billions of dollars annually on child- and teen-targeted marketing, with the average child in the United States viewing 13 food ads on television each day. These ads are often for products that are high in saturated fat, trans fats, sugars, or sodium, and they can be found on television, the internet, online games, sports sponsorships, children's apps, clothing, toys, and food packaging.
In addition to direct marketing to children, junk food advertising also targets parents and carers of children. These ads often paint junk food as a convenient option that saves time and satisfies children. They may also link junk food with wholesome activities, creating a "halo effect" that further normalises unhealthy eating habits.
The impact of junk food advertising on children's health is significant. Research has demonstrated the effects of food advertising on children's brand preferences, food choices, and requests to parents. This has contributed to an epidemic of childhood obesity and poor diet, with one-third of children and adolescents in the United States being overweight or obese.
To address this issue, some countries have implemented regulations to reduce children's exposure to junk food advertising. For example, Quebec, Canada, has banned all advertising to children in print and electronic media, while the United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, Taiwan, Chile, and Mexico have introduced statutory bans on advertising to children in some media. Australia has also taken steps to restrict junk food advertising, with the Australian Capital Territory government restricting the promotion of junk food on its government-run bus service since 2015.
Overall, it is clear that junk food advertising disproportionately targets children and young people, contributing to negative health outcomes. Comprehensive regulation is needed to reduce the volume of unhealthy food marketing to children and young people and to promote healthier eating habits.
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Junk food ads should be banned during children's viewing hours
There is a growing consensus that junk food advertising should be banned during children's viewing hours in Australia. A survey of 1003 Australians found that 66% of respondents supported such a ban, with many also wanting restrictions on advertising for gambling, alcohol, and tobacco products. The results of this survey echo the sentiments of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), which has urged the government to implement measures to establish healthy eating habits in children from a young age.
Indeed, there is evidence that junk food advertising disproportionately targets young men and children, with ads linking junk food to more wholesome activities. This has the potential to set up unhealthy eating habits for life, as young people are vulnerable to social expectations and impulse control. The pervasive nature of these ads, which are present on various devices and platforms, makes it all the more important to protect children from exposure during their formative years.
Comprehensive regulation is recommended to reduce the volume of unhealthy food marketing to children in Australia. This includes restricting advertising on television during peak children's viewing hours, such as weekdays from 6 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 9 pm, and weekends from 6 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm. Such restrictions have been implemented in other jurisdictions, including Quebec, Canada, where a ban on advertising to children has been linked to reduced spending on fast food.
Additionally, it is recommended that any ban in Australia should not only cover unhealthy food products but also any brand advertising for the companies that make them. This would prevent companies from circumventing the rules by promoting their brand, rather than specific products, during children's viewing hours.
Overall, banning junk food advertising during children's viewing hours is an important step towards establishing healthy eating habits in children and reducing their exposure to persuasive and potentially harmful marketing.
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Junk food ads on social media
Junk food advertising on social media is a cause for concern in Australia, with research indicating that it is contributing to unhealthy eating habits, particularly among young people. A study by Melbourne Law School and the Australian Ad Observatory found that young men are targeted by the highest proportion of fast-food ads on social media. This vulnerable age group is influenced by pervasive advertising that links junk food with wholesome activities, leading to the association of junk food with comfort and security.
The issue of junk food ads on social media is not unique to Australia, and several countries have implemented regulations to address this concern. For example, the United Kingdom is set to ban unhealthy food and drink advertising from October 2025, including brand advertising for companies that produce such products. Similarly, Quebec in Canada has banned all advertising to children under 13 in print and electronic media, resulting in reduced spending on fast food. Other countries with statutory bans on advertising to children include Sweden, South Korea, Taiwan, Chile, and Mexico.
In Australia, there is growing support for restricting junk food advertising. According to an Australia Institute study, 66% of Australians want junk food advertising banned during children's viewing hours, and the majority agree that junk food advertising on TV should be prohibited. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has urged the government to implement measures to promote healthy food consumption habits from a young age, calling for restrictions on junk food marketing across media platforms between 5:30 am and 11 pm. Additionally, two in ten Australians have noticed junk food ads at events and in direct mail, indicating the pervasive nature of such advertising.
To address the issue of junk food ads on social media specifically, comprehensive and consistent national regulations are needed. This includes restricting advertising that appeals to children in content or placement, such as on social media platforms frequently accessed by young people. States and territories can also take action by restricting marketing in settings they control, such as public transport, schools, and sporting facilities. By implementing such measures, Australia can reduce the impact of junk food advertising on social media and promote healthier eating habits among its population, particularly the vulnerable young demographic.
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Junk food ads on television
There is a growing consensus that junk food advertising on television should be banned in Australia. A survey of 1003 Australians revealed that 66% want junk food advertising banned during children's viewing hours, with the majority also wanting restrictions on alcohol and fossil fuel advertising. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has urged the government to implement measures to establish healthy eating habits from a young age, calling for restrictions on all junk food marketing across media platforms and outlets between 5:30 am and 11 pm.
The AMA's submission calls for a digital blackout of junk food advertising and restrictions on television advertising, particularly during times when children are likely to be watching. This is supported by research, which found that young men are targeted by the highest proportion of fast-food ads on social media, with ads pervading every device and setting up unhealthy eating habits for life.
Some Australian states and territories have already taken steps to restrict junk food marketing in settings they control, such as public transport, schools, and sporting facilities. For example, the Queensland Government announced in 2018 that it would phase out junk food advertising in these locations.
There is also support for a complete ban on junk food advertising to children, with Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps leading the push to limit such advertising to after 9 pm. This aligns with the system in Quebec, Canada, where advertising to children under 13 is banned and has been linked to reduced spending on fast food.
Overall, there is a strong case for banning junk food advertising on television in Australia, particularly during children's viewing hours, to help establish healthy eating habits and reduce the negative impact of unhealthy food marketing on children's health.
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Junk food ads in public spaces
Junk food advertising in Australia has been a topic of debate, with a majority of Australians in favour of banning such advertisements during children's viewing hours. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has urged the government to implement measures to establish healthy food consumption habits among children. This sentiment is echoed by Dr Sophie Scamps, who aims to introduce regulations to limit junk food advertising on television during specific times.
Research reveals that junk food advertisements target young men, parents, and children, linking these foods with wholesome activities. Social media platforms, such as Facebook, have been identified as a prevalent medium for these ads, with young men being the primary target demographic. The Australian Ad Observatory's research highlights the need to address this issue, as it can lead to the normalisation of unhealthy eating habits and have lifelong impacts.
Comprehensive regulation is recommended to reduce the volume of unhealthy food marketing to children in Australia. Other countries, such as Canada's Quebec province, the United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, Taiwan, Chile, and Mexico, have already implemented statutory bans on advertising to children in some media with positive outcomes. Chile, for example, has restricted marketing to children for products exceeding thresholds for added sugars, sodium, saturated fat, and calories.
In Australia, some states and territories have taken initiatives to restrict junk food marketing in settings under their control, such as public transport, schools, and sporting facilities. The Australian Capital Territory government has restricted junk food promotion on its bus service since 2015, and the Queensland Government announced a similar phase-out plan in 2018. These efforts demonstrate a recognition of the potential negative impact of junk food advertising on children's health and well-being.
While there is a clear push for regulating junk food advertising in Australia, the specifics of how and where these regulations will be implemented are still being discussed and debated. The ultimate goal is to strike a balance between protecting children from unhealthy influences and respecting the freedoms of advertisers and consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Research suggests that junk food advertising disproportionately targets young men, parents, and children. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has urged the government to implement measures to “establish healthy food consumption habits from a young age”. Two in three Australians agree that junk food advertising should be banned during children’s viewing hours.
N/A
Several countries have introduced statutory bans on advertising junk food to children, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, Taiwan, Chile, Mexico, and the Canadian province of Quebec.
There is currently no nationwide ban on junk food advertising in Australia. However, some states and territories have taken steps to restrict marketing in specific settings, such as on public transport or in schools.
