Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WATERSHED THE POUNDS WITH AD BAN
No junk plugs before 9pm to tackle obesity Blitz to help cut risk of coronavirus death
TV junk food ads could be banned before the 9pm watershed under a new blitz on obesity.
Health Minister Lord Bethell has confirmed that a “major national campaign” will launch next week.
Measures are also expected to include a crackdown on supermarket promotions and a ban on online ads.
It comes as Public Health England confirmed obesity can as much as double risk of death from Covid-19. Experts also found people have been snacking more during lockdown.
Asked about the new drive, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who battled coronavirus in intensive care in April, said: “Losing weight is, frankly, one of the ways you can reduce your own risks from Covid.”
The moves could hit iconic ads like BBC football host Gary Lineker’s long-running campaign for Walkers crisps. But experts warn a ban is not enough to tackle the crisis. The National Obesity Forum’s Tam Fry said: “You need an across-theboard approach.”
The Food and Drink Federation slammed the plans as a “slap in the face” to the sector. Chief Tim Rycroft added: “We could see a ban on promotions days before the Chancellor’s Eat Out To Help Out campaign.
“We could have Bake Off with no cake ads allowed.”
Meanwhile, having a BMI of 35 to 40 increases the risk of death from coronavirus by 40%, while a BMI over 40 almost doubles the risk compared to people who are a healthy weight.
PHE’S Dr Alison Tedstone said: “The case for action on obesity has never been stronger.”