| Summary: | Background: Unhealthy advertising influences the attitudes and behaviour of children. Child
exposure to products such as alcohol and fast food have been linked to adverse health problems, such
as heavy drinking and obesity. Bus shelter advertisements are a potential exposure site for unhealthy
advertising for children as they take municipal transit to and from school. This study explores the
volume and type of unhealthy advertising at bus shelters within close proximity to schools in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, Canada. Methods: In Halifax, Nova Scotia, 55 bus shelters with advertising were within
a 500-metre distance of an elementary, junior, or high school. Three audits occurred in October 2020
(Fall), January 2021 (Winter), and April 2021 (Spring). Advertisements were coded as unhealthy if
containing alcohol or gambling promotions. Food promotions were classified as maximum (healthy),
moderate, or minimum (unhealthy) nutrition. Results: In total, 319 bus shelter advertisements were
collected across three audits. Of these, 14.4% of advertisements were unhealthy (n = 46), and less
than 1% (n = 3) were classified as healthy. For the unhealthy advertising, 37.0% (n = 17) of
advertisements promoted gambling, 32.6% (n = 15) advertised food, 21.7% (n = 10) advertised non alcohol beverages, and 8.7% (n = 4) advertised alcohol. The majority of advertisements (n = 270;
84.6%) were classified as other. Implications: Children are potentially exposed to unhealthy
advertising as they travel to and from school in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Further research is needed to
understand how and when children are exposed to these types of advertising. Municipalities can
consider implementing further bylaws and administrative orders that create supportive
environments for children and youth.
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