Eating and drinking on public transport should be banned in a bid to stop children snacking and to tackle the issue of childhood obesity, recommends England’s Chief Medical Advisor Professor Dame Sally Davies. Those exempt from this would be people with medical conditions and babies who are breastfed. Yet, to what extent would this ban improve the health of children and the general population?

This ban diverts us from the central issue at hand and brings the focus onto scrutinising individual behaviours

Not only would this be impractical, it is clear that it would not single-handedly solve the issue of obesity. The problem is that this ban diverts us from the central issue at hand and brings the focus onto scrutinising individual behaviours. For some people who work long shifts, take on double jobs to support their families or even work night shifts, they are not always able to enjoy meals at home and may need to eat whilst commuting. Dame Sally in The Telegraph said: ‘It is about changing the culture so snacking is no longer normalised. We need to make the bus, the train and the tube a safe place for children.’ Yet this is not the answer as it does not determine children remaining safe and having access to healthy food outside of public transport.

The reason why some may view this ban as effective in terms of improving people’s health is because eating on public transport is often believed to encourage bad eating and spending habits. Yet, whilst this ban may prohibit people from eating on public transport, it does very little to confront the larger issue of eating on the go and obesity. There are many fast-food shops and takeaways surrounding schools and workplaces, which for a lot of people seem to be the most convenient option. Frequently people choose to eat fast-food or sugar-loaded cakes and shop-bought sandwiches out of accessibility. Perhaps a more effective policy would be to have a limit on the number of takeaway shops operating in any given area, and to introduce healthier meal options in shops and vending machines.

The government should help support healthier eating habits and changes towards food

The answer to this problem should not focus on an unnecessary and unrealistic ban but should draw attention to, and encourage healthy eating. The government should help support healthier eating habits and changes towards food. One where people can make better, informed decisions about what they put into their body. Considering the fact that obesity is a bigger problem in poorer areas, healthy foods should be made more affordable and easily accessible for everyone so this issue can be tackled.