Claiming hospitality operators “share the public’s support for calorie, salt and sugar reduction and promoting healthy attitudes to food and drink,” chief executive Kate Nicholls explained: “This is why the sector is working collaboratively with Government, the Mayor’s office and public health stakeholders to that end.
“The Mayor has heeded our calls for the commercial right of hospitality businesses to advertise, to promote the healthy options that they are increasingly offering. We welcome the opportunity to engage further with his team, to provide clarity on the detail of these proposals.
“Hospitality is an economically, socially and culturally valuable and prominent part of London life, and creates great experiences for residents and visitors alike. We want to continue to play a part in delivering more healthy lifestyle choices for our customers.”
The ban will be see the end of food adverts that are high sugar, fat or salt, across all TfL governed transport, including the underground, overground, buses, trams and river services.
Companies will be able to ‘request consideration’ to advertise certain products that are considered ‘less healthy’ if they can demonstrate that they do not contribute to diets high in fat, salt or sugar in children.
The government said ‘TfL and the Mayor’s office will work with brands, advertisers and public health bodies to agree a robust approach to assessing such products.’.
Khan said: “Child obesity is putting the lives of young Londoners at risk and placing huge pressure on our already strained health service.
“It is absolutely imperative that we take tough action against this ticking timebomb now, and reducing exposure to junk food advertising has a role to play in this - not just for children but parents, families and carers who buy food and prepare meals.
“It’s clear that advertising plays a huge part in the choices we make, whether we realise it or not, and Londoners have shown overwhelming support for a ban on adverts for junk food and drink on our transport network.
“It’s completely unacceptable that in a city as prosperous as London, where you live and the amount you earn can have a massive impact on whether you have access to healthy, nutritious food. I’m determined to change this.”
TfL also welcomes the ban, with director of transport Strategy Lilli Matson commenting: “As the capital’s strategic transport authority, (TfL) has a crucial role in the health of Londoners. We also have a large advertising estate with a very diverse audience covering all ages.
“By only allowing healthier foods and drink to be advertised across our network, we will utilise our assets to help make London a healthier place. This builds on the work that we already do to improve health and make our city a better place by encouraging people to choose more active and sustainable ways of travelling around the city.”