All Auckland Transport (AT) infrastructure, facilities and public transport services will be free from alcohol advertising beginning tomorrow, October 1, AT and Alcohol Healthwatch said in a joint statement.
Alcohol Healthwatch has welcomed the decision, saying its removal "will protect young people from its harm", the non-government agency's executive director Dr Nicki Jackson said.
"Exposure to alcohol advertising can be explicit or subliminal and has harmful effects on our communities. It especially reaches children and adolescents given they are our biggest users of public transport."
AT's Group Manager Metro Service Delivery Stacey Van Der Putten says it's important that "advertising on our assets is done in a responsible way" as Aucklanders' public transport use continues to grow.
"This is a no-brainer – we are proud to take leadership and set an example for the community," Ms Van Der Putten said.
Dr Jackson added, "We are all exposed to advertising on public transport or at transport facilities, whether we use the bus, train, ferry or drive our car. Alcohol advertising reinforces alcohol use as the norm and this is not the message we want our children to be receiving.
"We commend Auckland Transport for saying no to alcohol advertising and putting their community first."
Alcohol Healthwatch says the policy is a "great first step" and hopes other councils across the country will follow suit.
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