At the upcoming Full Council meeting (7 April), Labour Councillors are bringing forward proposals aimed at cracking down on junk food and drink advertisements across Brighton & Hove.

In recognition of the countless health risks posed by junk food and drinks, and the tendency for their advertisements to be aimed squarely at children at a time when 14,000 children in the city are overweight or obese, Labour are calling on the Council to work to ban fast food advertising on Council buildings, bus stops and across the local transport network.

Sustain and Food Active recently published a ‘Taking Down Junk Food Adverts’ report exploring what powers local people have to reduce advertising in their areas that promotes unhealthy foods, particularly in settings with a high audience of children.

This follows the Labour Mayor of London banning all fast-food adverts across the Transport for London network.

Labour’s motion to Full Council seeks support for efforts to lobby government to adopt the recommendations of the ‘Taking Down Junk Food Adverts’ as policy, to ask local transport operators to take action, and for the Council itself to look at advertisements on its own buildings and hoardings, as well as the food and drink sold on council premises.

Fostering a healthy, active city of wellbeing is a key priority for Labour Councillors, and at Thursday’s meeting Labour will also be bringing forward proposals to make Brighton & Hove a more dementia-friendly community.

Labour’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Amanda Evans, said:

“We know that fast foods and energy drinks contain high levels of fats, salt, sugar and caffeine, and that excessive consumption contributes to a whole range of health problems including obesity, tooth decay, diabetes, gastro-intestinal problems, sleep deprivation, hyperactivity and many cancers that are linked to diet.

“As a local authority we must do all we can to promote the benefits of public health, and to protect children from exploitative advertising for harmful products.

“We want to see Brighton & Hove follow in the footsteps of London by banning fast food ads across our transport network, and for the Council to lead by example and ensure none of these adverts are present on Council-owned properties either.”

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Image: Ad Scholars