London Mayor proposes to ban junk food advertising on TfL network

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has proposed a ban on junk food advertising throughout the Transport for London (TfL) network.

The new proposal is said to be part of the mayor’s draft London Food Strategy, which aims to tackle the issue of child obesity.

Khan said: “Child obesity in London is a ticking time bomb and I am determined to act.

If we don’t take bold steps against it we are not doing right by our young people, as well as placing a huge strain on our already pressurised health service in years to come.

“It can’t be right that in a city as prosperous as London that where you live and the income you have can have a massive impact on whether you have access to healthy, nutritious food and your exposure to junk food advertising.

London is said to have one of the highest child overweight and obesity rates in Europe, with nearly 40% of children aged 10 and 11 being overweight or obese.

The mayor is currently carrying out consultations on proposals to stop advertisements of unhealthy food and beverages that are high in fat, salt or sugar across the entire TfL network, including London Underground, London Overground and the capital’s buses and bus shelters.

The mayor has also urged the UK Government to treat the issue as a priority to accelerate the fight against child obesity.

According to a report released by the National Centre for Social Research and Cancer Research UK, advertisements of unhealthy foods, particularly those aimed at children, create extra pressure on children and families in choosing what to eat and drink.

Khan aims to significantly reduce the unacceptable level of child obesity in London by 2028.

Additionally, the Mayor has proposed a ban on new hot food takeaways opening within 400m of schools. There are proposals to provide funds for plans by London boroughs to make better food more widely available across the city.