If the proposal is authorised subsequent month Vale of Glamorgan Council would be the first native authority in Wales to herald this specific restriction
A council in south Wales might quickly be the primary within the nation to ban the commercial of unhealthy meals in sure public areas. Vale of Glamorgan Council introduced it’ll decide subsequent month on the proposed ban which might cease meals categorised as excessive in fats, sugar, and salt being promoted at bus stops and on boards alongside the native authority’s roads.
If authorised by cupboard members the transfer would additionally stop such merchandise from being marketed on the council’s web site.
The chief of Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Lis Burnett, stated: “Vale 2030, our new five-year plan, units out this council’s ongoing drive to create sturdy communities with a shiny future. For our free every day briefing on the most important points dealing with the nation signal as much as the Wales Issues publication right here..
“In addition to growing financial, schooling, and different alternatives that pledge is about taking steps to enhance the well being and wellbeing of our residents and inspiring extra lively life.
“There’s clear proof that such promoting contributes to folks buying and consuming unhealthy meals and drinks, significantly kids, and that this in flip results in increased charges of weight problems and different diet-related ailments.
“Analysis has additionally proven that these dwelling in areas of deprivation are the worst affected as promoting is usually particularly focused at folks dwelling in these areas.”
In March 2025 the Senedd authorised new laws that may see restrictions positioned on the place retailers can show sure unhealthy meals of their retailers and on their web sites.
The brand new laws, which can come into power subsequent 12 months, may even have an effect on meals which might be excessive in sugar, fats, and salt.
On Vale Council’s potential personal ban Cllr Burnett stated: “By decreasing the unfavorable influence of damaging promoting like this we need to assist folks to make knowledgeable meals selections that may stop well being issues earlier than they develop.
“This suits in with initiatives akin to putting in ingesting water fountains at areas throughout the Vale.
“Lowering the demand for extra processed merchandise, that are damaging to the surroundings, additionally aligns with our Mission Zero dedication to change into carbon impartial by 2030 and different council pledges to guard the planet.
“I’m proud that the Vale is blazing a path for Wales on this space. We need to set a typical for others to comply with throughout Wales and the broader UK.”
The long run generations commissioner for Wales, Derek Walker, congratulated the council for bringing ahead its proposal, including that he’s referred to as for the general public sector to “use each lever attainable to enhance our meals system”.
Govt director of public well being for Cardiff and Vale College Well being Board, Claire Beynon, stated: “We’re completely delighted that the Vale of Glamorgan Council is planning to limit promoting throughout their belongings of meals and drinks excessive in fats, sugar, and salt.
“We all know that what surrounds us shapes us – the locations the place we reside, work, and play make all of the distinction.
“Proof reveals that promoting on our streets influences what we purchase and what we eat and significantly for kids this may result in sturdy model consciousness and preferences for top fats, sugar, and salt meals.
“Shifting the meals surroundings by altering the promoting panorama will assist to help and allow alternatives for good meals and is a major contribution to our native work by our Good Meals and Motion Framework 2024-2030.”
