A new set of data provided by The Australian Institute has revealed that two thirds of Australians would back a ban on tobacco and gambling ads domestically, with junk food ads broadcast on children’s TV also coming under fire.
The data was released in an article published on the ABC, and shows that of the respondents 74 per cent would back a ban on tobacco ads, while 71 per cent would do the same with gambling ads.
The poll also looked specifically at junk food ads played during children’s viewing, but even this saw a whopping (whopper-ing?) 66 per cent of respondents support the potential for a ban.
In addition, the data revealed which political parties were most represented in both the affirmative and negative results, with the Greens consistently tracking higher in positive responses and One Nation resulting in lower numbers in support of potential bans.
The news comes after it was announced earlier this month that Teal MP Dr Sophie Scamps had prepared a private bill targeting junk food advertising towards kids in an attempt to reduce the levels of obesity in the country.
At the time, Dr Scamps highlighted sports advertising such as KFC’s sponsorship of Australian cricket and McDonald’s support of grassroots Little Athletics and the NRL as key issues for the country’s consistently worrying obesity numbers. As the finals series for both of Australia’s main football codes approaches, it would appear from The Australian Institute’s data that more consumers are thinking about these issues as they appear more on-screen.
Compared to the other issues presented, banning alcohol ads saw just 51 per cent in support, while a ban on ads promoting fossil fuels only reached 41 per cent despite a massive amount of support from Greens voters.
