Teesside health leaders welcomes ban of unhealthy food and drink ads
A 9pm watershed is in place on TV and a ban on paid online ads from today
Health leaders in Teesside are welcoming the ban of unhealthy food and drink adverts - which is in effect from today.
Its aim is to protect children and tackle obesity by limiting promotion of sugary drinks, crisps, cakes and processed foods.
A 9pm watershed is in place on TV - and a ban on paid online ads.
Laura More, Health Improvement Specialist at Public Health South Tees, said: "We're really pleased to see this legislation come into effect. It's a positive step to protect children from the marketing of less healthy foods and drinks. It's a really good example to addressing obesity.
"Children are flooded with ads. Evidence suggests that children can see up to 200 ads per week online. We know that increased exposure to food adverts leads to an increase in consumption of these foods, so the implementation of these restrictions will reduce children's exposures to adverts, which in turn should reduce to a consumption of these types of foods.
"So addressing obesity requires a systemic approach where we take action across a broad number of factors at the same time, to create physical and digital environments that make a balanced diet and engaging in physical activity and easing accessible choice for all.
"Locally we have the healthy weight declaration in Middlesbrough and we're working towards adoption in Redcar and Cleveland. We have the 'Eat Well' awards which supports our schools and early year settings and their approach to food, to ensure that children have access to good quality food and positive food environments.
"It's really important that we focus on the wider determinants of health rather than placing the responsibility for reducing obesity on parents and children. The systemic actions that we take at a local and national level to embed healthy weight into policy really are the drivers that will create change. "