The South Australian government is set to tackle obesity by banning “junk food” advertising on public buses, trains and trams.
From 1 July 2025, images of unhealthy products such as chocolate, lollies, confectionery, desserts, ice creams, soft drinks and chips will not be permitted on Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams.
South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing 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.
“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,” he says.
“Food habits and relationships established early in life have a lasting impact on food habits and 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.
“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.”
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% of total disease burden in Australia.
Around 63.1% of adults and 35.2% of children across SA are overweight or obese.
Modelling indicates that if no action is taken, the number of South Australians living with overweight or obesity is expected to grow by an additional 1900 children and 48,000 adults over the next five years. In addition, recent research commissioned by Preventive Health SA shows that without action, children born in 2023 could see as much as a seven-month reduction in life expectancy because of obesity.
Preventive Health SA, in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, is leading the implementation of this new policy. It 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 ACT.