Cancer Council WA congratulates the South Australian Government for restricting unhealthy food advertising on transit assets

Cancer Council WA has congratulated the South Australian Government, which over the weekend announced a policy to restrict unhealthy food advertising on Government of South Australia transit assets: the first Australian state to have such a policy.

Set to commence on 1 July 2025, the ban will cover all Adelaide Metro buses, trains, and trams, targeting advertisements for high-sugar and high-fat products such as soft drinks, confectionary, and chips.

In congratulating the South Australian Government, Cancer Council WA called on the Cook Government to build on and introduce a similar policy.

A statement from Cancer Council WA said a similar policy is an action that says loud and clear – children should be afforded the maximum protection from exposure to predatory, ubiquitous advertising for highly processed, unhealthy food and drinks.

WA has been internationally recognised for its long-standing health promotion campaigns and policies designed to protect young people from harmful products and industries.

Yet, the WA government continues to allow the promotion of fast-food, sugary drinks, and confectionary on its own advertising spaces, including buses, train stations, and freeway billboards, undermining its own health promotion campaigns.