Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams banned from showing junk food ads from July 1

The state government has announced a nation-first fast food ban from mid this year, to help children form healthier eating habits. Poll: What do you think?

Junk food advertising with be banned on public buses, trains and trams from July 1, 2025. Picture: File

Junk food adverts will be banned on public transport, under landmark plans to arrest South Australia’s alarming obesity epidemic.

The state government will outlaw images of “unhealthy products” from July 1 this year including chocolate, lollies, confectionery, desserts, ice creams, soft drinks and chips.

In the latest social policy crackdown, SA will become the first state to enforce bans on all public buses, trains and trams.

An Advertiser poll was split on Sunday with more than half arguing it was “more nannying from the government”.

But medical experts warn obesity has overtaken tobacco as the leading risk factor contributing to disease burden in Australia.

Official figures show almost two thirds of adults and more than a third of children are overweight or obese in SA.

Premier Peter Malinauskas, who has led a separate crackdown on social media, on Sunday said the bans would help minimise how often young children are exposed to unhealthy food or drink.

“If we can have a positive impact in a preventative health context that prevents young people from unnecessarily getting addicted to junk food or having too many sugary drinks that they end up being diabetic – if we can take thoughtful measures that help, then we’re up for it,” he said.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the government “will be considering additional measures to further respond to this public health issue”.

“Food habits and relationships established early in life have a lasting impact … of adults,” he said. Asked about any further measures, the Premier said the government was always looking for opportunities to help “healthy living” but declined to give details.

Government modelling shows 1,900 more children and 48,000 extra adults will be classed as overweight or obese within five years.

Preventive Health research shows children born in 2023 could experience a seven-month cut in life expectancy because of obesity.

McDonald’s advertising on a bus in Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton

A Cancer Council SA study found almost 80 per cent of food and drink advertisements on public buses or bus shelters within 500m of schools “promote unhealthy” products.

Charity spokeswoman Christine Morris said: “As we know that when kids are bombarded with junk food ads, it’s really hard for parents to help their children make healthy choices.”

Opposition spokeswoman Penny Pratt said: “The Opposition supports efforts to improve health outcomes in our community, but it’s important to ensure efforts to improve public health don’t unintentionally harm local businesses that are essential to South Australia’s economy and employment.”

Mr Picton said the opposition’s view was “disappointing”.

“The Liberal Party are taking a political pot shot at a common sense and moderate policy to tackle childhood obesity that has been developed with local industry consultation.”

Government officials said similar bans were enforced in London, Amsterdam and the ACT.