Children and young people ‘deserve protection from harm’
Directors of Public Health have welcomed the announcement in today’s King’s speech that the new Government will seek to restrict junk food advertising and the sale of energy drinks.
The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) has long-since called for tighter restrictions on junk food advertising, which influences purchasing and consumption of unhealthy food at a time when rates of obesity and malnutrition in children and young people are rising.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) joined over 40 organisations calling for tighter restrictions on energy drinks following the publication of a study which found an association between consumption of the drinks and increased risk of mental health issues, poor academic performance, sleep problems and unhealthy dietary habits.
Greg Fell, ADPH President, said:
“By introducing legislation to tighten advertising on junk food and restrict the sale of harmful energy drinks, the Government has an opportunity to really shift the dial in tackling the rise of illness and disease which is largely avoidable.
“For far too long, the commercial sector has influenced our eating and drinking habits. This is the case for adults and children, but promoting unhealthy products to children carries the extra risk of shaping their eating and drinking habits at an early age. This then sets them up for a lifetime of increased risk of a wide range of conditions which, at best, will limit their ability to enjoy a full, happy and productive life and, at worst, may kill them.”
Alice Wiseman, ADPH Vice President, added:
“Directors of Public Health up and down the country are supporting their local authorities to introduce advertising restrictions on council owned property but this local action really needs support from central Government.
“Our children and young people have a right to – and benefit from – a healthy, happy childhood and they deserve to be protected from harm. Today’s announcement in the King’s Speech shows a commitment to achieving this protection and is incredibly welcome. We will do everything we can to help see this legislation become a reality.”