[Greens-Media] Greens welcome Labor's plans for junk food ads

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Tuesday, 31 July 2007

Greens welcome Labor's plans for junk food ads

Greens Leader Bob Brown today welcomed Labor's plans to better regulate food advertising directed at children.

"The Greens have been calling for a ban on junk food advertising during children's TV viewing hours as one way to tackle Australia's growing rate of childhood obesity. The Greens welcome plans to regulate the use of cartoon characters and toys to market junk food to children, which will help parents make healthy choices for their children," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown said both Labor and the Coalition voted down the Greens amendment banning junk food ads during children's TV viewing hours last September.

"The $21 billion cost of obesity, calculated by Access Economics, is more than double the cost of Medicare and highlights the need for a review of truth in advertising on foods and a coordinated commonwealth plan to tackle obesity."
 
"Encouraging people to exercise is not enough. By refusing to listen to parents concerns about junk food advertising, Health Minister Tony Abbott has failed Australian families," Senator Brown said.
 
Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603




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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185	

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