IN response to the editorial “Councils have no role in food sales” (The Border Mail, July 21), I would like to clarify that I understand councils do not have the authority to prevent certain foods being served at food outlets in their jurisdiction.

Councils do, however, have the ability to establish local policies about what businesses or residents do in the public arena, in addition to those handed down to them by the state.

Councils can have policies about banning smoking in public places as “Action on Smoking and Health Australia” has managed to advocate for in NSW councils (http://www.ashaust.org.au/lv4/OutdoorNSWccls08.doc).

Wave rley Council has done so and imposes a $110 fine for anyone lighting up on beaches like Bondi.

Councils can also have regulations on illuminated signs for businesses.

Tracey Pascoe from the Douglas Shire in Queensland was quoted as saying they managed to stop a McDonald’s development in their area after a court prevented them from displaying their neon golden arches.

Councils could also plan for a more suitable ratio of fast food outlets to fresh produce shops in a community.

Exposure to this type of food outlet distribution is not a personal choice and is out of an individual’s control.

A number of studies have looked at the fast food outlet density in an area and the effect on health, and most have found people in communities that have a high fast food outlet density are more likely to be obese or diabetic independent of other factors.

Finally, I’d like to comment on the point of view made by the editorial, which sounded a lot like a broken record of the best hits of MP Tony Abbott.

Many, including dietitians and other health professionals, would like to think healthy eating and other health behaviours come down to personal choice and responsibility, but that assumes that all things in life are fair and equal.

If every person was the same age, had the same education, income, working conditions, social support, access to transport, and early years nurturing we could then expect everyone to make better choices around their health.

Unfortunately this isn’t the case so others in our community need to take up this responsibility.

This means all sectors of government, private enterprise and community must make changes, otherwise we can expect these problems to increase.

We need to start acting now because as Dr Neville Howard from Diabetes Australia-NSW has stated, our children could well be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents.

— BRENDAN PEARSON,

accredited practising dietitian, Riverina, NSW