NHS Tayside has banned sugary drinks from all its vending machines, in a bid to tackle rising obesity and to encourage healthier diets in the community.

The Drinks4Health initiative involves all high-sugar drinks being replaced with a range of healthier drinks such as unsweetened fruit juices and bottled water in vending machines, shops and staff dining rooms.

NHS Tayside developed the scheme in a move towards tackling obesity and promoting good health. It was introduced following successful pilot schemes in Perth and Dundee.

The British Dental Health Foundation welcomed the announcement but called for a UK-wide ban on sales of fizzy drinks and sugary snacks on healthcare and education premises. According to the Foundation's Chief Executive Dr Nigel Carter, poor diet has been linked with gum disease which threatens tooth loss, and has an impact on overall health.

'Research is proving that gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, strokes and premature and low birth-weight babies,' he said, adding that by tackling the sale of unhealthy snacks in schools, young people could be encouraged to get into good oral health habits at an early age.

Meanwhile, a report conducted by the Department of Health has shown that fewer children are being exposed to 'junk food' advertising on television. Changes in food and drink advertising and promotion to children shows the prevalence of advertising to children by the food and drink industry and found that child-themed advertising spend had decreased by 41% since the beginning of 2003.

The fall was most notable in TV advertising, which fell sharply in 2007 with a drop of 46% compared to 2003. In particular, there was less child-focused advertising for confectionery, fast food restaurants, non-alcoholic drinks and cereals.

The report is part of a raft of measures taken across Government to tackle child obesity. It includes Change4Life, an initiative launched this autumn aimed at helping people to live healthier, more active lives.