Ban on unhealthy food adverts on Transport for London network

It's a great idea - the TfL network should be promoting healthy behaviour wherever possible - this is a really bold move that would make Londer proper leaders in promoting healthy eating which would be great - something to be proud of!

I don't think it's enough on it's own though - for example you can still buy junk food especially sugary drinks really near (or inside) TfL stations - it would be great to see water provided to make sure there is a positive healthy alternative that is free!

My concern is about an addictive substance on which I did my PhD few years back. Since then I have tried to persuade people and vendors about this substance,but so far I have not been heard. A mixture of Areca nut, betel leaf, tobacco and white lime( calcium hydroxide) are chewed by many Asian people as a cultural commodity. This is addictive and causes oral cancer and other health problems. My research findings recommended that imports of this substance, which is also available in small attractive packets, sometimes as sweets and often wrapped up in aluminum foil. My research is available on line at the British library Ethos website. I am happy to give more details, a presentation or a workshop based on the use and misuse of this substance the sale of which has increased during the past few years. There are so many outlets in East London where the substance which is commonly known as Paan or by other trade names to mask the identity of the substance. London food strategy should focus and ban the imports of this substance which mainly comes from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The only question you might have about this move is whether the Transport for Lodnon Network would be going in the direction of a state within a state.  But since obesity is directly relevant to the comfort of other passengers I say go for it.

I am fully in favour of banning unhealthy foods ads.  However I think quite some thought needs to go into how to define 'unhealthy' food.  So would this include McDonalds, Burger King or also Just Eat (all take away food and not necessarily bad), Pizza, Sweets, fizzy drinks, alcohol.  I don't think we can ban advertising on TFL but not on other channels.  I think the Advertising Standards Authority should ban the advertising of junk food and fizzy drinks altogether just like for Tobacco.  Moreover perhaps combine with a strategy of increasing taxes on these companies / products - money still talks best.

I think that the Mayor of London should promote a cause which actually improves the London environment. Example street cleaning and finding hostal accomodation for rough sleepers. Under Mr Khans watch the streets of my town are filthy just take a look at the west end for proof. Leave advertising controls to the authorities in place to deal with.

Reading the sugar content in pre-prepared foods is shocking, taxing does not and will not do the job, all that happens is wealthier people are not effected and poorer people get even poorer.

Yes, ban adverts for unhealthy food, but also ban the unhealthy food, if not completely, then from schools and shops near schools.

Charge the sellers of bad food what it costs the NHS to repair the damage done to people who consume it, are suffering with.

Onr NHS ought to be running Cooking & Good Food classes in schools and work places.

If pre prepared foods taste so bad that sugar is needed to make them paletable then the foods are not fit.

Ask why we have such a sweet tooth, some other countries dont have anything like such a sweet diet.

Some countries embrace a far more sour spectrum of flavours. Introducing a wider balance of flavours may move peoples taste away from sweet towards sour.

Ask, Why do people buy and consume pre-prepared foods.

1. Is it because they are too tired to cook properly?

2. is it because they are depressed with the daily grind of life?

3. Is it because life in our society is a lot less pleasent than humans need?

4. is it because the customers are saturated with advertising and know no better?

I support the proposal to ban unhealthy food advertising from the London Transport Network.

Advertising has a substantial effect on everyone, whether we know it or not. We are swayed, often subconsciously, by advertising that has been developed by decades of science and research, aimed at influencing our choices wherever we go, and whatever we do. The result of this is that we are manipulated into making unhealthy food choices when we eat out, and this has an adverse effect on our bodies and our overall wellbeing. Children and those from low-income backgrounds are particularly susceptible to this, as the choices are made to look appealing, and are advertised as cheap. This means that some of the most vulnerable in society are unable to guard themselves sufficiently against advertising that has a negative effect on their own wellbeing. As this is not really their fault, in the long-term, this leads to a societal increase in obesity, heart disease, diabetes and more, which in turn puts a strain on our NHS, and negatively impacts on many people's quality of life as a whole. 

Banning the advertising of unhealthy foods would mean that food outlets would need to develop products that pass sensible dietary critieria in order to be allowed to advertise that particular item of food. Offering healthier choices allows people more agency and control in what they eat, and encourages us all to make better consumption choices. If most of what we see advertised is salads, we will subliminally end up eating more salad. Obviously this does not stop companies advertising their food elsewhere, so they will still have the chance to influence people into buying cheap and unhealthy food, but not on the London Transport Network, and this can have a dramatic effect on our daily choices. 

I support totally the ban on unhealthy food adverts on Transport for London network and beyond as they help to wire people's brains in a way where they start rejecting healthy foods, thus paving the way to obesity. They keep reinforcing their messages and eventually people become addicted to unhealthy foods...Stop McDonalds of this world  from ruining people's lives.

Banning advertising of junk food and consumption on TFL property would be amazing. I strongly believe it has an affect on children and young people, and yes we can argue as to whether this is the Mayors remit but I would say things need to be done and this is a step the mayor can take.

Banning unhealthy food ad does not necessarily mean that it will reduce childhood obesity. We need to understand the synergy of different factors and which play the biggest role.Obviously, understanding the execution of the ad and likelihood of exposure is also something to consider. It's the same as advertising for healthy eating/habits, if it doesn't cut through with the millions of clutter out there, then it won't create the impact that it desires.

An interesting article today on the affect of junk food advertising on children.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/25/food-firms-may-face-lit…

Maybe legal action could be taken against organisations that carry the ads as well as the advertisers. Food for thought, TfL?

Some people think that because they are immune to the ads, everyone else should be too. Perhaps they are immune, or perhaps they are kidding themselves.