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

Business Support Officer (Museums & Galleries NPO)

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£16,765 - £17,607
This is an exciting opportunity to support Kirklees Museums and Galleries in the development of its ambitious vision Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Durham County Council
£30,024 - £33,699 pro rata
Higher Level Teaching Assistant Grade 7 £30,024 - £33,699 pro rata Full time, term time only + 2 weeks Permanent Required from 3rd November.  We wish Stanley
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader - Communication and Interaction

Durham County Council
Leadership 6 - 10 £58,569 - £64,691
We are looking for a Team Leader to join our highly valued and well-established Specialist SEND and Inclusion Support (SIS) Service. This is an addit Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Senior Business Analyst

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum
Do you enjoy analysing problems, identifying opportunities, and delivering practical solutions? Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Business Analyst

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum
Do you enjoy analysing problems, identifying opportunities, and delivering practical solutions? Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner