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London junk food advertising ban begins

25 Feb 2019
A ban on junk food advertising across London's entire public transport network has started today.

As previously reported, posters for food and drink high in fat, salt and sugar will begin to be removed from the Underground, Overground, buses and bus shelters.

After plans were first announced in May, 82% of 1,500 respondents to an online consultation backed the proposals, City Hall said.

Some adverts with long advertising campaigns will remain, but all new bookings will be subject to the altered policy.

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said that he wanted to tackle the "ticking time bomb" of child obesity in the capital.

However, the Advertising Association said the ban would have ‘little impact on the wider societal issues that drive obesity’ as the UK already has the ‘strictest rules’ when it comes to advertising junk foods, which meant that under 16s could not be targeted.

In addition to the buses, Tube and train networks run by TfL, junk food adverts will be banned on:

  • Roads controlled by TfL, including adverts on roundabouts and at bus stops
  • Taxis, private hire vehicles and Dial-a-Ride
  • River services
  • Trams
  • The Emirates Air Line cable car
  • Victoria Coach Station