Should we ban fast food on TV?

William Atkins
Wednesday, 29 June 2011 22:09

Science - Health

The Australian government is thinking about banning advertisements of junk food on TV because the fast-food industry has not voluntarily cut the number of ads to help reduce childhood obesity.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) announced that it will recommend to the Australian government new rules that will restrict TV ads for junk food on television.

The AMA says such action is necessary because self-regulation by the fast-food industry has not been carried out - advertisements for fast foods directed at children has not decreased even though the industry promised to do so (from new rules initiated in August  2009).

Seven fast-food companies -- including KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), McDonald's, and Pizza Hut -- promised to voluntarily set nutrition standards for foods advertised to children under the age of 14 years.

 

But, these new rules were not carried out. Consequently, the AMA had to say, 'We're not loving it.'

In other words, the AMA did not think these companies were carrying out the earlier promises they made, and official laws need to be passed to restrict TV advertisements of junk food directed to children.

People often complain that we have too many laws. Unfortunately, laws are often necessary because people (and in this case companies) don't do what they promise to do.

For example, drivers would not need speed limits if everyone drove carefully and safely and used common sense when judging how fast, or how slow, to drive.

However, everyone does not drive responsibly so governments must step in for the health and safety of its citizens and implement laws to protect them. Whether you like it or not, this is what is frequently done.

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