ArticleHealth research policy and systems2026
Local government policies restricting unhealthy outdoor food advertising in Australia: stakeholder perspectives identify political willingness is key to overcoming barriers.
Article in Health research policy and systems, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundUnhealthy 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.
methodsWe 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.
resultsFour 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).
conclusionsThis 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.
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