A national coalition of public health organisations has launched a campaign calling for stricter limits on advertising for alcohol, gambling and unhealthy food in Australia.
The initiative, titled “Give Us an Ad Break”, is urging the federal government to introduce a proposed Harmful Products Marketing Act aimed at regulating how these products are promoted across television, digital platforms and other media.
Supporters say the legislation would follow the approach used in Australia’s tobacco control laws, which restrict marketing of products linked to major health risks.
More than 130 health organisations and public health leaders have backed the campaign, including the Alliance for Gambling Reform, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, the Food for Health Alliance and VicHealth.
The proposal aims to reduce exposure to advertising for products associated with chronic disease and financial harm, particularly among children.
A nationally representative survey commissioned by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education and conducted by Pureprofile in February found strong public backing for restrictions, with four in five Australians supporting reduced advertising for gambling, alcohol and unhealthy food.
VicHealth chief executive Professor Anna Peeters said reducing exposure to harmful marketing among children could play a significant role in improving long-term public health outcomes.
Campaign supporters argue that limiting advertising of these products could help reduce the burden of diseases such as cancer, liver disease, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, while also addressing financial harm associated with gambling.
The campaign is now calling on the federal government to consider legislative reforms as part of broader public health strategies.
