William Eichler 25 September 2024

Mayors back Jamie Oliver’s call to ban junk-food advertising

Mayors back Jamie Oliver’s call to ban junk-food advertising  image
Image: Jun Huang / Shutterstock.com.

Nine UK mayors have signed up to celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s campaign to ban junk-food advertising.

The mayors have pledged to support the ‘AdEnough’ campaign to help stop children being exposed to unhealthy food advertisements on public transport.

The commitment means that any mayor introducing bus franchising powers will ban the adverts, with the same ban introduced on metro systems.

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said the move sends a ‘clear message’ to junk food companies.

‘[T]he days of targeting children and young people with predatory advertising for products that harm their health are over. Enough is enough.’

Jamie Oliver, chef and campaigner, commented: ‘It’s so brilliant to see the mayors stepping up, committing to this bold initiative and banning junk-food ads in their public spaces. It’s a much-needed and vital step towards creating healthier, happier communities across the UK, where our kids aren’t constantly bombarded with unhealthy messaging around food.’

Gerry Taylor, spokesperson for the commercial determinants of health for the Association of Directors of Public Health, welcomed the announcement.

‘89% of deaths in England are attributable to largely avoidable illness and disease which is linked to the consumption of unhealthy food and drink, including many cancers, respiratory, heart and liver disease, and mental health disorders,’ he said.

‘We know that unhealthy food and drink advertising influences both purchasing and consumption of these harmful products. It therefore makes absolute sense to introduce tighter restrictions on advertising in order to support efforts to reduce the numbers of people experiencing – and dying – from these conditions.’

The full list of mayors backing Jamie Oliver’s ‘AdEnough’ campaign:

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness

Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard

Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Procurement Business Partner

West Northamptonshire Council
£55036 - £58879
At West Northamptonshire Council, we’re looking for an experienced and ambitious Procurement Business Partner to play a pivotal role in shaping how we deliver high quality, value for money services. This is an exciting opportunity to join our forward-th Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Strategic Director, Corporate Services

City of Bradford MDC
c£162,000 per annum, more for an exceptional candidate
Bradford is at an extraordinary moment of transformation Bradford, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of Bradford MDC

Director of Human Resources

City of Bradford MDC
£119,466 - £131,207
Bradford is at an extraordinary moment of transformation Bradford, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of Bradford MDC

Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer)

North Kesteven District Council
£109,668 – £117,623
Create the conditions for long-term prosperity
Recuriter: North Kesteven District Council
Linkedin Banner