Local government venues' sponsorship and signage policies to limit the promotion of harmful products: A Western Australian public health audit

Abstract

Objective: Identify and assess publicly available local government sponsorship and signage policies related to harmful products in Western Australia (WA).

Methods: An audit of WA Local Government Authority (LGAs) websites (n=139) was conducted. Sponsorship, signage, venue hire and community grants' policies were located and assessed against set criterion. Policies were scored for the inclusion of statements regarding the display and promotion of harmful commodities (alcohol, tobacco, gambling products, unhealthy food and beverages).

Results: Across WA local governments, 477 relevant policies were identified. Six percent (n=28) included statements restricting the promotion of at least one harmful commodity via sponsorships, signage, venue hire, and sporting and/or community grants policy. Twenty-three local governments had at least one policy that restricted unhealthy signage or sponsorship.

Conclusions: Most WA local governments do not have publicly available policies that specifically limit the advertising and promotion of harmful commodities in their government-owned facilities.

Implications for public health: There is a dearth of research identifying LGA interventions addressing advertising of harmful commodities within council-owned sporting venues. This research indicates opportunities for West Australian LGAs to develop and implement policy to protect public health by restricting the promotion of harmful commodities to their communities, improving the healthfulness of environments.

Keywords: harmful commodities; local government; policy; public health; sponsorship.