Kingston Council has voted in favour of banning adverts for unhealthy food and drink, vaping, and gambling across all council-controlled spaces at the People Committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday, 17 June).

This move is part of the council's healthier weight strategy to tackle rising obesity and diabetes rates.

The policy was first proposed on 12 March 2024, and 24 other UK councils have already adopted similar policies.

"I'm really pleased to see this come through. I know there's been huge amounts of work that has gone into it, so thank you," said Councillor Sabah Hamed, Co-Chair of the People Committee.

Katy Scammel, Kingston Council's Director of Public Health, emphasised the evidenced-based nature of the scheme, saying that there is proof that people exposed to these adverts are more likely to choose unhealthy options.

Scammel also said that there has been no published suggestion that this policy will have an impact on the council's income.

While the council discussion was broadly supportive, Councillor Rowena Bass raised concerns around the advertising of seasonal or sports products.

She said: "I just think about the people who do a lot of sport, and they'll have high energy drinks and high energy bars, so they will probably fall foul of this as well. I just think this could have unintended consequences, which is why I probably abstain."

Cllr Bass raised the potential issue of the banning of adverts for sports-focused energy drinks and seasonal Christmas desserts, questioning whether the ban would extend too far.

With the implementation of this policy, adverts will be assessed by the council using nutritional profiling as recommended by SUSTAIN, an organisation that promotes healthy food and farming.

Scammell highlighted that in a public consultation by the Greater London Authority in 2018, 82% of the public were in support of this move.

"My impression is no one has found this a controversial policy to put in place. I don't think there's probably any parent that would prefer an advert of a burger standing at a bus stop as opposed to anything healthier for their children," she said.

 Moving forward, this policy will apply to all new advertising contracts, and existing ones must comply upon renewal.