Junk food advertising on children's television
Closing date for feedback: 31 October 2008
The Queensland Government wanted to hear your views about restricting television advertising to children to support families make healthier choices.
How is junk food advertising currently regulated?
A number of overseas governments have already recognised, and acted to curb, the influence of junk food advertising.
The United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Ireland, and Quebec all have restrictions on television advertising to children. These range from a ban on all junk food advertising to excluding such ads during peak viewing times for children.
In Australia, television advertising is regulated by the Federal Government under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth).
This Act requires the Australian Communications and Media Authority to determine standards for programs for children. It also permits advertisers to formulate and regulate their own guidelines for ads.
Unfortunately, since self regulation was reviewed in 2004, the proportion of junk food and drink ads appearing in peak viewing times for children has increased.
It is up to parents to make complaints about what they think is inappropriate for children to watch.
What more can we do?
Parents have said they want more control over junk foods ads.
In a recent survey, 89 percent of parents supported stronger restrictions on television food advertising, and 86 per cent supported a ban on junk food advertising during children’s programs.
The Queensland Government can legislate to ban or restrict junk food and drink advertising during peak viewing times for children.
Have your say
Thankyou to all those who participated in this feedback process, this survey is now closed. You can still read the discussion paper on supporting families to make healthier choices – junk food and drink television advertising aimed at children.
For more information about this consultation
| Email address: | tvfoodads@health.qld.gov.au |
| Postal address: | TV Food and Drink Advertising to Children Queensland Health GPO Box 48 BRISBANE QLD 4001 |
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