TRANSPORT SNACK BAN

A ban to stop people snacking on public transport has been mooted by England's outgoing chief medical officer, in a bid to tackle childhood obesity. Has the plan found favour with commuters across the country, or left a bad taste in the mouth?

Six out of every 30 children are obese - and it's because they are being "flooded" with junk food, according to Professor Dame Sally Davies.

She has suggested a number of measures to tackle the growing crisis, but the one that has sparked the most debate is her proposal to ban snacking on certain public transport.

There was a caveat to her proposal: "Prohibit eating and drinking on urban public transport, except fresh water, breastfeeding and for medical conditions."

But what do people who have to make these journeys think of the idea?

In Wolverhampton, which is one of the worst places for childhood obesity, Maan Surdhar said a public transport snack ban would not solve the problem.

"I think children need to be more active," said the 29-year-old who lives in London and is a postgraduate at the University of Wolverhampton.

"In London, people are more aware of their health, children seem to be more active.

"But here all I see is children hanging around takeaways, eating all the time and then they go home and there's a real problem with gaming addiction too.

"I don't think the answer is banning food on public transport, because even though they might not eat on the bus for example, they'll still eat it outside won't they?"

Rosemary O'Connor, 61, from Aldersley in Wolverhampton, said: "I don't think they should ban eating on public transport.

"I get buses and coaches often and have a snack on them because it's the only time I have sometimes.

"It's down to parents - a little and often can do you no harm can it?"

Tony Morgan, 55, who works in security at Wolverhampton railway station branded the plan "ridiculous".

"I don't think it would help stop kids being obese," he said.

"The main thing is that parents are busy now and so it's easier to pick up a takeaway."

Michelle Crosbie, who is a public health lecturer for University of Wolverhampton, called for projects to tackle the root of the child obesity problem.

"The government has launched various schemes and looked at school dinners, but if you can come out of school and access fast food that's not going to help," she said.

"But banning food on public transport may not be the right way to do this. We need to fund grassroots initiatives with families and give children safe and accessible places to play in a way that combines physical exercise and technology. "