“Children are bombarded with advertising for unhealthy food every time they turn on the TV and we’ve got to say enough is enough,” Dr Rosalie Woodruff, Greens candidate for the Federal Lower House seat of Franklin, said.
“Here in Franklin, parents are really concerned about the level of junk food advertising their children are exposed to when they watch TV.
“Tassie kids are watching 20 hours of TV a week on average. When they are targeted by strategic advertisements for that long, it has a huge impact.
“There has been a recent shocking increase in obesity among Tasmanian kids – up 10% in the last four years,” said Dr Woodruff.
“Now 29% of Tasmanian children are overweight or obese and it is undeniable that junk food, and the advertising that goes with it, plays a role in obesity.
“Unhealthy food is the major battleground when it comes to health. We have spiralling rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and organ failure.
“We can no longer leave it to the food industry to regulate their behaviour.
“The Greens will protect Franklin children from junk food advertising. Banning TV ads in our kid’s prime viewing times is a good start along the road to a much healthier future for them.”
The Greens plan to:
Ban junk food ads on commercial TV from 6-9am and 4-9pm on weekdays; and from 6-12pm and 4-9pm on weekends and school holidays.
Prevent pay television channels dedicated to children’s programming from showing junk food ads at any time.
Ensure companies using emails and smartphones to target underage customers are not sending material promoting unhealthy foods.
You can read the full initiative at: http://greens.org.au/junk-food-ads
Rosalie Woodruff, Huon Valley Councillor and Greens candidate for Franklin
