It’s summertime and sugary drink ads are everywhere

It might not be surprising to hear that a recent study found sugary drink ads peak in summer and that ads for soft drinks and energy drinks make up a large proportion of that advertising. But did you know that in Australia, between 2016 and 2018, $129.5 million was spent on sugary drink advertising? 

That expenditure far exceeds the $23 million spent on artificially sweetened drinks or the $14 million on plain water. Together, television and out-of-home advertising made up 80% of sugary drink advertising expenditure. Over $1.6 million was spent per month on television advertising and $1.25 million on out-of-home ads. And there were peaks in expenditure at the start and end of summer. 

While comprehensive regulation is needed to protect children from unhealthy advertising, this study shows that limits on television and outdoor advertising would have a big impact on reducing children’s exposure to sugary drink advertising. 

Haynes A, et al. Sugary drink advertising expenditure across Australian media channels 2016–2018. ANZJPH. 2021.