Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's medical officer of health, is calling on Canadian politicians to address the country's growing obesity rate by banning junk food advertising to children under 13. Last week, acting on a recommendation by Dr. McKeown, the Toronto Board of Health unanimously adopted a motion that urges federal and provincial governments to impose a ban on food and beverage advertising aimed at children.
The Children's Advertising Initiative was first unveiled last April. Health Minister Tony Clement praised the industry for helping to address what he has described as Canada's "appalling"childhood obesity rate.
Janet Feasby of the industry group, Advertising Standards Canada, has said that an advertising ban is unnecessary given the responsible steps taken by food and beverage companies. Childhood obesity, she has said, is a complex issue that defies simple solutions such as ad bans.
Quebec, Sweden and Norway all ban direct television advertising to children. Two years ago, Britain adopted a ban on junk food advertising -- products high in sugar, fat and salt -- on programs geared to children under 16.
