Within WP5, researchers from Amsterdam UMC and colleagues investigated how policy officers of Dutch municipalities view bans on advertising unhealthy and unsustainable products in public spaces.
Interviews with 18 policy officers in 13 municipalities show that such advertising bans are often driven by political momentum, a favorable climate in the municipal council and policy opportunities such as reviewing contracts. At the same time, obstacles such as legal and financial risks play a major role. Municipalities see it primarily as an important signal toward residents and politicians, even if direct behavioral change is difficult to measure.
The main findings are summarized in this infographic, with additional explanations in the accompanying English slides.The scientific article on this research has now been submitted for publication.
Research team: Josine Stuber (Amsterdam UMC), Dorien Beeres (Erasmus MC), Coosje Dijkstra (Amsterdam UMC), Sanne Djojosoeparto (WUR), Hannah Forde (University of Oxford), Maartje Poelman (WUR), Frank van Lenthe (Erasmus MC) and Joreintje Mackenbach (Amsterdam UMC).
