Brighton & Hove: Ban on fast food adverts to be introduced

One in three 11-year-olds leave primary school in Brighton and Hove overweight or obese, the city council said

Fast food adverts on council-owned bus and taxi shelters are to be banned in Brighton and Hove.

The restrictions on high fat, sugar and salt food adverts were agreed by the city council within the procurement of a new advertising contract.

Council leader Bella Sankey said the decision was made to "prioritise the health of our residents".

One in three 11-year-olds leave primary school in the city overweight or obese, the council said.

Brighton and Hove City Council's strategy finance and city regeneration committee agreed the recommendations for the city's 204 advertising shelters at a recent meeting.

'Successful elsewhere'

Ms Sankey said evidence showed a link between junk food advertising and an increase in buying and eating unhealthy foods.

"Restricting what foods can be advertised is just one of a range of measures to help reduce obesity among children and adults in the city," she said.

"This has been successfully introduced elsewhere without a major impact on income, as advertisers have diversified their ads and to meet the restrictions."

Similar projects have been implemented in Bristol and London.

There is currently a restriction on advertising fast food takeaways within 100 metres of any school, youth club, NHS building or public sector building used by those under the age of 18 in the city.

The restrictions will not impact the council's current advertising contract, while runs out in March next year.

The new contract has been awarded for a period of eight years.

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