Overweight and obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK after smoking and is linked to at least 13 types of cancer. A child who is obese is around five times more likely to be obese in adulthood. In 2015/2016, 1 in 3 children left primary school overweight or obese so acting early is critical.
A study(PDF) in 2017 showed that junk food adverts are shown up to nine times every 30-minute period during children’s peak viewing times.
Ads work – that’s why companies spend so much money on them. Our research has shown that young people report that exposure to junk food marketing clearly influences their food choices. The more junk food ads young people see, the more they eat. For some, that could be over 500 extra snacks throughout the year.
In 2016, we launched the Junk Free campaign calling for the UK Government to implement UK-wide TV advertising restrictions on foods high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) before the 9pm watershed.
As viewing habits changed, as well as the spaces that children and young people see adverts, in 2019 we extended our policy calls to include online.
A month after the launch of our campaign, the UK Government published its long-awaited Childhood Obesity Strategy. Unfortunately, despite overwhelming public support for the campaign, it made no mention of any marketing restrictions.
Finally, in June 2018, the UK Government announced its ambition to halve childhood obesity by 2030, and proposed restrictions on junk food ads before 9pm on TV and online.
Campaigners continued to support the campaign but were once again disappointed with the UK Government’s progress until then Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s serious brush with serious COVID-19 renewed the political commitment and drive for change.
In February 2019, a ban on junk food advertising across the London transport network was introduced, showing the policy is workable and effective.
In May 2021, the UK Government announced tough new restrictions for junk food adverts on TV and online through the new Health and Care Bill. Then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid pledged to introduce a 9pm watershed on junk food adverts to kids on TV and a total online ban.
To protect children from the increased risk of skin cancer through the use of sunbeds, we called for a change to regulations across the UK.
Before plain, standard cigarette packs were introduced, we successfully campaigned to cover up tobacco displays in shops and remove tobacco vending machines.
Senior prevention policy manager, Malcolm Clark, looks back on the campaign over the years.
Being obese as a child might directly affect a person’s risk of developing cancer as an adult, regardless of what they grow up to weigh.
Dan Parker, advertiser turned campaigner and founder of Living Loud, reveals why restrictions on junk food advertising are important.
Learn about the ways our campaigner community is driving political action to help beat cancer.
Join our community of over 50,000 online campaigners across the UK.
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