Local government policies restricting unhealthy outdoor food advertising in Australia: stakeholder perspectives identify political willingness is key to overcoming barriers.

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Τίτλος:	Local government policies restricting unhealthy outdoor food advertising in Australia: stakeholder perspectives identify political willingness is key to overcoming barriers.
Συγγραφείς:	Bivoltsis A; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia. a.bivoltsis@ecu.edu.au., Klug F; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia., Francis J; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.; The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.; School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia., Whitton C; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.; School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia., Trapp GSA; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.; The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.; School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia., Pulker CE; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.; School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
Πηγή:	Health research policy and systems [Health Res Policy Syst] 2026 Apr 20; Vol. 24 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 20.
Τύπος έκδοσης:	Journal Article
Γλώσσα:	English
Στοιχεία περιοδικού:	Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101170481 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1478-4505 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14784505 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Health Res Policy Syst Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):	Original Publication: [London] : BioMed Central, 2003-
Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH):	Advertising/legislation & jurisprudence , Politics , Policy Making* , Local Government* , Public Health* , Health Policy* , Food* , Stakeholder Participation*, Humans ; Western Australia ; Nutrition Policy ; Australia ; Food Industry
Περίληψη:	Background: Unhealthy outdoor food advertising is strongly linked to poor diet, highlighting the need for policies. Western Australian (WA) local governments (LGs) can restrict advertising on their owned infrastructure through their Public Health Plans, but limited policy action has occurred. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of WA LGs and public health organizations (PHOs) on current and potential policies restricting unhealthy outdoor food advertising on LG owned infrastructure to (1) identify barriers and enablers to the policy making process, (2) assess the current level of political willingness (i.e. political want, political can and political must) and (3) inform development of recommendations to support future policy actions. Methods: We undertook 27 individual or small-group interviews between June and October 2024 with WA stakeholders from LGs (n = 22) and PHOs (n = 10). Interviews were conducted online or face-to-face using semi-structured discussion guides. Six researchers designed the discussion guide, collected the data and conducted reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes were generated which related to barriers: (1) a new area of public health for LGs, (2) uncertainty about the public health policy making process, (3) working with stakeholders is a balancing act, and enablers: (4) local governments can see the gaps and know what needs to be done. Analysis of political willingness found that many LGs lacked resources or perceived the policy to lack relevance in their community (political want). Most LGs and PHOs lacked confidence in their skills and knowledge to undertake the work and described a gap in leadership from state governments (political can). Findings indicate that citizen mobilization in support of such policies will be key to future success (political must). Conclusions: This new area of public health has brought challenges for WA LGs who lack prior experience. The four main themes we generated from the interviews showed that the key elements of political willingness, i.e. political want, political can and political must, are lacking overall. Recommendations to overcome the current state of "political won't" include building government understanding and support, developing skills and confidence, resourcing the work required and increasing community pressure to act. (© 2026. The Author(s).)
Competing Interests:	Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethics approval to conduct this study was granted by the Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee (REMS no: 2024-05303). All procedures were performed in compliance with relevant laws and institutional guidelines and have been approved by the appropriate institutional committee(s). Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
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Agreed roles and responsibilities for the provision of public health planning support to local government; Part 5, Public Health Act 2016. https://www.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/general-documents/Public-HealthAct/public-health-planning/Agreed-roles-and-responsibilities.pdf . 2020. Accessed January 8 2025. Nayar S, Stanley M. Qualitative research methodologies for occupational science and occupational therapy. 2nd ed. London: Routledge; 2024. Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care. 2007;19(6):349–57. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042 . (PMID: 10.1093/intqhc/mzm04217872937) Braun V, Clarke V. Supporting best practice in reflexive thematic analysis reporting in Palliative Medicine: a review of published research and introduction to the Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines (RTARG). Palliat Med. 2024;38(6):608–16. 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(PMID: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-1123232729403572413) Dhuria P, Muir S, Jenner S, Roe E, Lawrence W, Baird J, et al. “If government is saying the regulations are important, they should be putting in funding to back it up.”—an in-depth analysis of local authority officers’ perspectives of the Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021. BMC Med. 2024;22(1):514. (PMID: 10.1186/s12916-024-03720-53950670211539601) Thanekar U, Sacks G, Ruffini O, Reeve B, Blake MR. Local government stakeholders’ perceptions of potential policy actions to influence both climate change and healthy eating in Victoria: a qualitative study. Health Promot J Aust. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.848 . (PMID: 10.1002/hpja.848) Ruffini O, Relf C, Mann D, Blake MR, Carrad A, Reeve B, et al. Development of the Local Food Systems Policy Index (Local Food-EPI+) tool and assessment process to benchmark the implementation of local government policies for creating healthy, equitable and environmentally sustainable food systems. Public Health Nutr. 2024;27(1):e191. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898002400140X . (PMID: 10.1017/S136898002400140X3935465711504496) Department of Local Government Industry Regulation and Safety. Integrated planning and reporting. Government of Western Australia. 2025. https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/local-government/strengthening-local-government/integrated-planning-and-reporting . Accessed 7 November 2025. Allender S, Gleeson E, Crammond B, et al. Policy change to create supportive environments for physical activity and healthy eating: which options are the most realistic for local government? Health Promot Int. 2012;27(2):261–74. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dar018 . (PMID: 10.1093/heapro/dar01821421579)
Grant Information:	Vice Chancellor's Professorial Fellowship Edith Cowan University; People Fellowship Stan Perron Charitable Foundation; G-202402-86292 Healthway (WA Health Promotion Foundation)
Contributed Indexing:	Keywords: Food advertising; Local government; Marketing; Policy; Qualitative; Western Australia
Entry Date(s):	Date Created: 20260421 Date Completed: 20260610 Latest Revision: 20260726
Update Code:	20260726
PubMed Central ID:	PMC13227689
DOI:	10.1186/s12961-026-01483-4
PMID:	42010573
Βάση Δεδομένων:	MEDLINE

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Items	– Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Local government policies restricting unhealthy outdoor food advertising in Australia: stakeholder perspectives identify political willingness is key to overcoming barriers. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Bivoltsis+A%22">Bivoltsis A</searchLink>; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia. a.bivoltsis@ecu.edu.au.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Klug+F%22">Klug F</searchLink>; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Francis+J%22">Francis J</searchLink>; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.; The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.; School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Whitton+C%22">Whitton C</searchLink>; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.; School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Trapp+GSA%22">Trapp GSA</searchLink>; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.; The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.; School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Pulker+CE%22">Pulker CE</searchLink>; Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.; School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia. – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22101170481%22">Health research policy and systems</searchLink> [Health Res Policy Syst] 2026 Apr 20; Vol. 24 (1). <i>Date of Electronic Publication: </i>2026 Apr 20. – Name: TypePub Label: Publication Type Group: TypPub Data: Journal Article – Name: Language Label: Language Group: Lang Data: English – Name: TitleSource Label: Journal Info Group: Src Data: <i>Publisher: </i><searchLink fieldCode="PB" term="%22BioMed+Central%22">BioMed Central </searchLink><i>Country of Publication: </i>England <i>NLM ID: </i>101170481 <i>Publication Model: </i>Electronic <i>Cited Medium: </i>Internet <i>ISSN: </i>1478-4505 (Electronic) <i>Linking ISSN: </i><searchLink fieldCode="IS" term="%2214784505%22">14784505 </searchLink><i>NLM ISO Abbreviation: </i>Health Res Policy Syst <i>Subsets: </i>MEDLINE – Name: PublisherInfo Label: Imprint Name(s) Group: PubInfo Data: <i>Original Publication</i>: [London] : BioMed Central, 2003- – Name: SubjectMESH Label: MeSH Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Advertising%22">Advertising</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Advertising+legislation+%26+jurisprudence%22">legislation & jurisprudence</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Politics%22">Politics</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Policy+Making%22">Policy Making</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Local+Government%22">Local Government</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Public+Health%22">Public Health</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Health+Policy%22">Health Policy</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Food%22">Food</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Stakeholder+Participation%22">Stakeholder Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Western+Australia%22">Western Australia</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Nutrition+Policy%22">Nutrition Policy</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Food+Industry%22">Food Industry</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Background: Unhealthy outdoor food advertising is strongly linked to poor diet, highlighting the need for policies. Western Australian (WA) local governments (LGs) can restrict advertising on their owned infrastructure through their Public Health Plans, but limited policy action has occurred. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of WA LGs and public health organizations (PHOs) on current and potential policies restricting unhealthy outdoor food advertising on LG owned infrastructure to (1) identify barriers and enablers to the policy making process, (2) assess the current level of political willingness (i.e. political want, political can and political must) and (3) inform development of recommendations to support future policy actions.<br />Methods: We undertook 27 individual or small-group interviews between June and October 2024 with WA stakeholders from LGs (n = 22) and PHOs (n = 10). Interviews were conducted online or face-to-face using semi-structured discussion guides. Six researchers designed the discussion guide, collected the data and conducted reflexive thematic analysis.<br />Results: Four main themes were generated which related to barriers: (1) a new area of public health for LGs, (2) uncertainty about the public health policy making process, (3) working with stakeholders is a balancing act, and enablers: (4) local governments can see the gaps and know what needs to be done. Analysis of political willingness found that many LGs lacked resources or perceived the policy to lack relevance in their community (political want). Most LGs and PHOs lacked confidence in their skills and knowledge to undertake the work and described a gap in leadership from state governments (political can). Findings indicate that citizen mobilization in support of such policies will be key to future success (political must).<br />Conclusions: This new area of public health has brought challenges for WA LGs who lack prior experience. The four main themes we generated from the interviews showed that the key elements of political willingness, i.e. political want, political can and political must, are lacking overall. Recommendations to overcome the current state of "political won't" include building government understanding and support, developing skills and confidence, resourcing the work required and increasing community pressure to act.<br /> (© 2026. The Author(s).) – Name: Abstract Label: Competing Interests Group: Ab Data: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethics approval to conduct this study was granted by the Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee (REMS no: 2024-05303). All procedures were performed in compliance with relevant laws and institutional guidelines and have been approved by the appropriate institutional committee(s). Consent for publication: Not applicable. 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(PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2210%2E1093%2Fheapro%2Fdar01821421579%22">10.1093/heapro/dar01821421579)</searchLink> – Name: GrantInfo Label: Grant Information Group: Grant Data: Vice Chancellor's Professorial Fellowship Edith Cowan University; People Fellowship Stan Perron Charitable Foundation; G-202402-86292 Healthway (WA Health Promotion Foundation) – Name: SubjectMinor Label: Contributed Indexing Group: Data: <i>Keywords: </i>Food advertising; Local government; Marketing; Policy; Qualitative; Western Australia – Name: DateEntry Label: Entry Date(s) Group: Date Data: <i>Date Created: </i>20260421 <i>Date Completed: </i>20260610 <i>Latest Revision: </i>20260726 – Name: DateUpdate Label: Update Code Group: Date Data: 20260726 – Name: PubmedCentralID Label: PubMed Central ID Group: ID Data: PMC13227689 – Name: DOI Label: DOI Group: ID Data: 10.1186/s12961-026-01483-4 – Name: AN Label: PMID Group: ID Data: 42010573
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RecordInfo	BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1186/s12961-026-01483-4 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English Subjects: – SubjectFull: Humans Type: general – SubjectFull: Western Australia Type: general – SubjectFull: Nutrition Policy Type: general – SubjectFull: Australia Type: general – SubjectFull: Food Industry Type: general – SubjectFull: Advertising legislation & jurisprudence Type: general – SubjectFull: Politics Type: general – SubjectFull: Policy Making Type: general – SubjectFull: Local Government Type: general – SubjectFull: Public Health Type: general – SubjectFull: Health Policy Type: general – SubjectFull: Food Type: general – SubjectFull: Stakeholder Participation Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Local government policies restricting unhealthy outdoor food advertising in Australia: stakeholder perspectives identify political willingness is key to overcoming barriers. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Bivoltsis A – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Klug F – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Francis J – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Whitton C – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Trapp GSA – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Pulker CE IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 20 M: 04 Text: 2026 Apr 20 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-electronic Value: 1478-4505 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 24 – Type: issue Value: 1 Titles: – TitleFull: Health research policy and systems Type: main
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