A SO CALLED 'no fry zone' has been imposed around schools by local officials in County Wicklow on Ireland's east coast, in a bid to tackle childhood obesity.
The decision to introduce a ban on fast food restaurants within 400 metres around schools and playgrounds was reportedly prompted after a McDonald's restaurant was given permission to open just 30 metres from education campus at Blacklion in Greystones serving 1,800-students.
“The distance of 400 metres will actually make a difference to obesity levels, based on the studies carried out in this area.
We are utterly delighted that the majority of Wicklow councillors have voted in favour," said Philip Moyles on Newstalk.com after the ban was backed by 18 votes to 12 at a recent council meeting.
"The wording of the objective is specific, with a clearly defined distance that must be adhered to, which makes this a meaningful objective,” added Mr Moyes who spent four years of campaigning on the issue.
In 2009, Waltham Forest in east London was the first local authority in England to ban new takeaways from opening within 400 yards of any school, youth club or park, in an attempt to curb childhood obesity.
Leicester city council has banned chip and burger vans from trading outside schools, while Gateshead council will only also fast food restaurants to operate if their salt shakers come with only half the usual number of holes in the top, according to the Guardian.
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