VENDING machines that sell sweets and fizzy drinks should be banned from junior schools, according to a task force set up to tackle obesity.

In a report to Mary Harney, the health minister, the National Task Force on Obesity (NTFO) also calls for strict regulation of school sponsorship deals by companies such as McDonald’s, Abrakebabra and Coca-Cola.

“We need to assist young people in making healthy choices,” said Jane Wilde, director of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, and a member of the NTFO.

“One way to do this is through providing children with healthier options in school. Some schools are already leading the way by prohibiting the use of vending machines. We need guidelines for schools to address the food and drink provided in vending machines, as well as in canteens.”

School meals have become one of the hottest political issues in the British general election following a television series in which Jamie Oliver, the chef, exposed the poor quality of food being served to children in UK schools.

Unhealthy snacks were available in 86% of school canteens and all tuckshops in Ireland, a recent study of childhood obesity has revealed. The taskforce called on schools to police food available on their grounds, but teachers say that this is beyond their call of duty.

“This is an area where parental responsibility is paramount,” said John Carr, the general secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation. “It must be recognised that, while schools do a great deal, they cannot do everything.

“Much of the good done by teaching children about healthy eating and exercise is undone when junk food dominates their diet and the television is their babysitter. Most primary schools promote healthy eating. The vast majority of parents are supportive but those who are not undermine the policy for the school.”

The food and drink industry currently operates a voluntary ban on the supply of vending machines to primary schools, but 42% of secondary schools have dispensers of chocolate, crisps and sugar-laden fizzy drinks. Few provide healthier choices such as milk, bottled water, juices and fruit.

Representatives of the industry said they would resist any attempts by the government to restrict their operations unduly.

“It is understandable that the current media outpouring has caused concern,” said Jan Podsiadly, a spokesman for the Automatic Vending Association (AVA), which covers the UK and Ireland.

“But from the vending point of view, we remain on solid ground. Properly managed vending machines, providing an appropriate range of products, are an asset to schools in every way.”

Obesity levels in Ireland have tripled since 1990, and the number of overweight children has doubled. Up to a third of the country’s children are now either overweight or obese.

Ireland’s multi-million-euro food industry, which has representatives on the task force, has already indicated that it will resist any attempts by the government to place additional taxes on “problem foods” high in fat, sugar and salt.

According to the report, the makers of foods such as chocolate, crisps, soft drinks, breakfast cereals and fast food, spend huge sums on advertising to boost sales.

The task force has stopped short of recommending that the government impose a “fat tax” on junk food, stating that the introduction of fiscal policies to control obesity levels would “probably be regressive”.

However, it has recommended that the Department of Finance carry out research to examine the influence of fiscal policies on consumer purchasing and its impact on obesity.

A review of Vat on food and drink that supports healthier diets could be undertaken, for example.

The report also recommends a review of social welfare payments to take account of the high cost of healthy foods for the diets of socially disadvantaged groups.

Employers will also be asked to provide flexible working hours, reduced rates for gym membership and incentives for employees to cycle or walk to work and to provide access to shower and changing facilities for employees at risk of obesity.

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