Ban on Fast-Food and Unhealthy Food Advertising on Public Transport
South Australia- Department for Health and Wellbeing, 11 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
Marketing and Regulation
Regional
Citizens/Consumers, Businesses, Public Sector
Ongoing
The policy aims to reduce community exposure, especially among children, to advertising for unhealthy foods and drinks high in fat, sugar, or salt. The approach involves amending advertising contracts and guidelines for all public transport infrastructure, including buses, trams, trains, and transit shelters. Advertising space will be redirected towards health-promotion messages or neutral commercial content.
The South Australian Government announced in early 2024 its decision to ban fast-food and unhealthy food advertising across public transport assets starting July 2025. This policy was introduced as part of the government`s broader public health and obesity prevention strategy. Research from the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing showed that high exposure to junk-food marketing, particularly among children and young people, contributed to unhealthy eating habits and rising rates of diet-related diseases. The decision follows similar restrictions in other Australian jurisdictions, including the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia. The development of the policy involved consultation with public health experts, local councils, community groups, and transport authorities to balance health priorities with commercial advertising interests.
The policy is led by the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing in collaboration with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport. Monitoring and compliance are managed through advertising contracts reviews and oversight of transport-asset management. Regular assessments will track compliance and public feedback.
As implementation begins in mid-2025, contracts with advertising providers will be adjusted to exclude unhealthy food promotions. Expected outcomes include reduced visibility of unhealthy food marketing in public spaces, greater alignment of public assets with healthy goals, and potential long-term shifts in dietary norms. No measurable results are yet available since the ban is not yet active, but similar initiatives in other states have led to decreased exposure to unhealthy food advertising among children.