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Background The climate crisis is a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of children, young people, and future generations. While there are calls for children and young people’s engagement in climate decision making, current power structures limit their participation. This paper aimed to understand children’s perspectives about the impact of the climate crisis on their futures, their ability to influence climate decisions, and strategies and mechanisms to facilitate their greater engagement in decisions made about the climate crisis. Methods Online in-depth interviews were conducted with n  = 28 children (aged 12–16 years) across Australia. Photo elicitation techniques were used to prompt discussion about how the climate crisis impacted their futures, their ability to influence climate decisions, and strategies and mechanisms to engage them in climate decision making. A reflexive approach to thematic analysis was used to construct three themes from data. Images were analysed for ascribed meanings. Results First, participants stated that they and future generations will inherit the climate crisis from older generations, specifically decision makers. Second, they described a need to address a range of age-related barriers that limit children and young people’s engagement in climate decision making, including perceptions about their capabilities. Finally, they discussed strategies and mechanisms to embed children and young people’s perspectives within climate decision making, including at civic and political levels. Conclusions Children and young people have the right to be involved in decisions made about the climate crisis which significantly impact their futures, including their health and wellbeing. They argue for structural changes to embed their views in climate decision making, and describe a range of engagement strategies and mechanisms to structure their perspectives and knowledge with decision making processes. Furthermore, genuine involvement of children and young people in climate discussions must avoid youthwashing and tokenistic participation. The public health community can help address barriers to youth participation in climate action and should actively engage and collaborate with children and young people to facilitate their political and democratic influence over the climate crisis. This involves making room and creating an accessible seat at the decision making table to ensure their perspectives are embedded in climate decisions.

To understand the range of factors that may influence the normalisation of gambling for young women in Victoria, Australia. In‐depth qualitative telephone interviews with 45 women aged 18–34 years. Young women were exposed to gambling environments and some were gambling from an early age. Family members were the key facilitators of these activities. Once reaching the legal age of gambling, peers and boyfriends were instrumental in young women's gambling practices. Women attributed the normalisation of gambling to excessive marketing, feminised gambling environments, and the widespread availability of gambling in the community. This study found several factors that influenced and encouraged young women to gamble, such as the feminisation of gambling products and environments, and determined that gambling is becoming a socio‐culturally accepted activity for young women. Researchers and policymakers should be increasingly focused on how different forms of gambling may be normalised for young women. Attention should be given to how young women may become a target market for the gambling industry, and how to implement strategies aimed at preventing any future potential harm posed by these industries and their marketing tactics and products.

Background Marketing has a significant impact on the normalisation of gambling for youth across the globe. This has included shaping positive attitudes towards gambling, as well as increasing the social and cultural acceptance of gambling – particularly aligned with valued activities such as sport. Because of this, public health experts argue that gambling marketing poses a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of youth. While young people are increasingly exposed to, and impacted by marketing for gambling products, they are rarely consulted about policy issues and options. This study aimed to explore young Australians’ perceptions of current policy responses to gambling advertising, whether they thought young people should be involved in discussions and decisions about gambling marketing regulations, and their perceptions of the duty of governments to protect young people from gambling industry marketing strategies. Methods Qualitative focus groups ( n  = 22) were held with n  = 64, 12–17 year olds in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales. Participants were asked to reflect on current gambling policies, particularly relating to marketing, what they thought should be done about gambling marketing, and if and how young people should be included in public health responses to gambling. An interpretivist ‘Big Q’ approach to reflexive thematic analysis was used. Results Young people highlighted the need for more effective regulations around the content and frequency of gambling marketing. They also wanted to see more realistic representations of the negative impacts of gambling to counter persistent positive commercial marketing messages. Most thought that young people should be given an opportunity to have a say about responses to gambling due to their unique experiences. Participants identified mechanisms to increase young people’s engagement in decision making, such as direct lines of communication to different levels of government, involvement in research, and diversifying ways of engagement. Specific recommendations included more regulatory action such as bans on gambling advertising. Conclusions Creating formal structures that facilitate the inclusion of young people’s perspectives in decisions made about gambling can result in more innovative and effective strategies to prevent the harms from gambling industry products, promotions, and practices.

Background Alcohol consumption presents a threat to the health and wellbeing of women. The alcohol industry often pushes back at global efforts to prioritise the prevention of alcohol harms to women. Qualitative researchers have investigated how younger and midlife women conceptualise their alcohol consumption, but there is very limited research relating to older women (those 60 years and over). Methods Using data collected from an online qualitative survey, this paper explored the factors that influence how older Australian women drinkers ( n  = 144. 60–88 years) conceptualised the role of alcohol in their lives. The study used a ‘Big Q’ reflexive approach to thematic analysis, drawing upon sociological theories of risk and symbolic interactionism to construct four themes from the data. Results First, alcohol consumption was viewed by participants as an accepted and normalised social activity, that was part of Australian culture. Second, alcohol played a role for some participants as a way to cope with life changes (such as retirement), as well as managing stressful or challenging life circumstances (such as loneliness). Third, alcohol was part of the routines and rituals of everyday life for some women. For example, women discussed the consumption of wine with their evening meal as an important part of the structure of their day. Fourth, participants had clear personal expectancies about what it meant to be a ‘responsible drinker’. They had clear narratives about personal control and moral obligation, which in some cases created a reduced perception of their own risk of alcohol-caused harm. Conclusions This research provides a starting point for future public health research examining the factors that may shape older women’s alcohol consumption beliefs and practices. Public health activities should consider the unique needs and potential vulnerabilities of older women drinkers, and how these may be potentially exploited by the alcohol industry.

Background Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives are part of a suite of marketing and promotional strategies used by industries whose products and/or practices may be harmful to health and equity. These include the tobacco, alcohol, gambling, fossil fuel and pharmaceutical industries. CSR initiatives have included support for gender equity and empowerment initiatives, such as associations with women’s organisations and charities, educational activities, and sports. Limited research has qualitatively investigated women’s perceptions of these types of gendered CSR initiatives, including their opinions about appropriate public health and policy responses. Methods This study sought the opinions of n =506 Australian women, aged 18 years and over. Data was collected through an online qualitative survey. Participants were asked about the CSR strategies of a range of harmful industries, including gendered marketing, sponsorship of women’s sport, and support for women’s causes. Data were interpreted using a reflexive approach to thematic analysis. Results Three themes were constructed from the data. First, while participants acknowledged that CSR was a profit-making tactic used to enhance the image of harmful industries and mitigate reputational risk, they also thought there could be benefits associated with some CSR strategies – particularly related to women’s sport. Second, while many women perceived that CSR strategies could positively influence women’s views about harmful industries, others felt women needed to take responsibility for engaging with messages from these industries. Finally, while participants supported increased government regulation of harmful industry promotional tactics, they also recommended educational initiatives to expose industry tactics, and increased responsibility from organisations partnering or taking funding from these industries. Conclusions The insights from this study contribute to the growing evidence about the influence of the corporate tactics of industries who are harmful to women’s health and equity. While mapping and monitoring of marketing tactics are essential in public health arguments for regulatory reform of these practices, this study shows the important role that community opinions play in understanding the impact of these tactics, and public expectations of policy and public health actions to prevent harms. There is broad support for increased government regulation, and independent education initiatives focused on exposing industry tactics. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Background While the prevalence of women’s participation in gambling is steadily increasing, there is a well-recognised male bias in gambling research and policy. Few papers have sought to synthesise the literature relating to women and gambling-related harm and provide practical suggestions to guide future research, policy, and practice which take into account the specific nuances associated with women’s gambling. Methods A narrative literature review was conducted to review the evidence base on women’s gambling behaviours and experiences of harm. Drawing from strategies used effectively in other areas of public health, key elements for a gendered approach to harm prevention were identified and adapted into practical public health research, policy and practice strategies. Results Results indicated a lack of research that explores women’s gambling. Few studies have examined the impact of gambling on the lives of women, with limited understanding of the factors that influence women’s engagement with gambling products, and the impact of industry tactics. A gendered approach was identified as a strategy used successfully in other areas of public health to shift the focus onto women and to ensure they are considered in research. In tobacco control, increasing trends in women’s smoking behaviour were combatted with targeted research, policy and practical initiatives. These key elements were adapted to create a conceptual framework for reducing and preventing gambling harm in women. The framework provides regulatory direction and a research agenda to minimise gambling-related harm for women both in Australia and internationally. Evidence-based policies should be implemented to focus on the influence of gender and associated factors to address gambling-related harm. Practical interventions must take into account how women conceptualise and respond to gambling risk in order to develop specific harm prevention programs which respond to their needs. Conclusion A gendered approach to gambling harm prevention shifts the focus onto the unique factors associated with women’s gambling and specific ways to prevent harm. As seen in other areas of public health, such a framework enables harm measures, policies, and interventions to be developed that are salient to girls and women’s lives, experiences and circumstances.

Background Research has demonstrated that the promotion of gambling, particularly within sport, may have a significant impact on positively shaping young people’s attitudes towards gambling. While some governments have implemented restrictions to limit young people’s exposure to gambling advertising, few studies have investigated where young people recall seeing gambling advertising, and whether they perceive that advertising restrictions have gone far enough in reducing exposure to these promotions. Method Mixed methods, interviewer-assisted surveys were conducted with n  = 111 young people aged 11–16 years, who were self-reported fans of basketball in Victoria, Australia. Interviews were conducted at basketball stadiums between May and July 2018. The study assessed media viewing patterns; recall and awareness of the timing, placement, and content of gambling advertising; the impact of gambling advertising restrictions; and attitudes towards sporting organisations’ roles in the promotion of gambling. Results The majority of young people recalled seeing gambling advertising on television ( n  = 101, 91.0%), with most recalling advertising within sporting matches or games ( n  = 79, 71.2%). Most young people recalled seeing gambling advertising in the early evening before 8:30 pm ( n  = 75, 67.6%). Just over half of young people described seeing gambling advertisements on social media ( n  = 61, 55.0%), and over a third ( n  = 40, 36.0%) recalled gambling advertising on YouTube, predominantly before watching sporting or gaming videos. The majority stated that they continued to watch sport after 8:30 pm ( n  = 93, 83.7%), which is when restrictions on advertising in live sport in Australia end. The majority ( n  = 88, 79.3%) stated that there were too many gambling advertisements in sport. Three quarters believed that sporting codes should do more to prevent young people from being exposed to advertising for gambling in sport ( n  = 84, 75.7%). Conclusions There is now a clear body evidence that current regulatory systems for gambling advertising are ineffective, with further restrictions urgently needed across a range of media channels to prevent exposure to promotions that may encourage young people’s interest and involvement in gambling.

Background Women’s participation in, and harm from gambling, is steadily increasing. There has been very limited research to investigate how gambling behaviour, product preferences, and perceptions of gambling harm may vary across subgroups of women. Methods This study surveyed a convenience sample of 509 women from Victoria and New South Wales, Australia. Women were asked a range of questions about their socio-demographic characteristics and gambling behaviour. Focusing on four gambling products in Australia—casino gambling, electronic gambling machines (EGMs), horse betting, and sports betting—women were asked about their frequency of participation, their product preferences, and perceptions of product harms. The sample was segmented a priori according to age and gambling risk status, and differences between groups were identified using Chi-square tests and ANOVAs. Thematic analysis was used to interpret qualitative data. Results Almost two thirds ( n  = 324, 63.7%) of women had engaged with one of the four products in the previous 12 months. Compared to other age groups, younger women aged 16–34 years exhibited a higher proportion of problem gambling, gambled more frequently, and across more products. While EGMs were the product gambled on most frequently by women overall, younger women were significantly more likely to bet on sports and gamble at casinos relative to older women. Qualitative data indicated that younger women engaged with gambling products as part of a “night out”, “with friends”, due to their “ease of access” and perceived “chance of winning big” . There were significant differences in the perceptions of the harms associated with horse and sports betting according to age and gambling risk status, with younger women and gamblers perceiving these products as less harmful. Conclusions This study highlights that there are clear differences in the gambling behaviour, product preferences, and perceptions of product harms between subgroups of women. A gendered approach will enable public health researchers and policymakers to ensure that the unique factors associated with women’s gambling are taken into consideration in a comprehensive public health approach to reducing and preventing gambling harm.

BackgroundGambling is a global public health issue and young people are at significant risk of experiencing harm from gambling. In Australia, there has been a large focus on the impact of gambling marketing, particularly traditional forms of gambling advertising on television and sport. While there are some regulations relating to this type of advertising, there are still many other ways young people are exposed to and influenced by gambling marketing. Many regulations are implemented to protect young people; however, they are rarely consulted on these decisions. This study aimed to explore what young people think of Australia’s policy response to gambling, and if and how they would like to be engaged in public health responses to gambling.MethodsThis online focus group study was held with young Australians (n=64) aged 12–17 years from New South Wales and Victoria. Young people were asked to consider Australia’s current policies about gambling, particularly marketing, and what they thought should be done to address this. They were also asked if and how they thought young people should be involved in the development of public health responses to gambling. They were also asked, if they could say one thing about gambling marketing and young people to the prime minister what would it be? An interpretivist ‘Big Q’ approach to reflexive thematic analysis was used.ResultsYoung people highlighted the need for regulations that reduce young people’s exposure to and influence of gambling marketing such as bans to advertising or restrictions on the content and placement of advertisements. Many young people were interested in being involved in decisions made about gambling. They thought that young people brought novel and unique perspectives that often were overlooked by adults. Young people wanted more accessible ways for young people to be involved in the decisions made about gambling, such as direct lines of communication with governments and involvement in research. Young people had clear and direct messages for the prime minister about the need for immediate action on gambling. They also thought he needed a greater understanding of the negative impact gambling was having on communities.ConclusionYoung people are powerful advocates for their own health and wellbeing. Public health and governments should create formal structures that enable young people’s meaningful engagement in policy decisions about gambling. This would result in more innovative and potentially effective ways of preventing gambling harm.

BackgroundAlcohol consumption presents a health risk for women, with older women being an understudied group in public health research. While extensive research has explored the alcohol-related experiences of younger and midlife women, little attention has been given to how older women conceptualise alcohol consumption within their daily lives. The alcohol industry has capitalised on social and cultural norms to reinforce drinking as a normalised activity, yet there remains a gap in understanding how these dynamics specifically affect older women.MethodsThis study examined the factors influencing how older Australian women (aged 60–88) perceive the role of alcohol in their lives. Data were drawn from an online qualitative survey with n=144 women, analysed using a reflexive thematic approach informed by sociological theories of risk and symbolic interactionism.ResultsAlcohol consumption was widely regarded as an accepted and normalised social activity embedded in Australian culture. Many participants viewed alcohol as a means of managing life transitions, such as retirement, and coping with emotional challenges, including loneliness and stress. Drinking was also integrated into daily rituals and routines, with wine being particularly associated with meal consumption and social bonding. Furthermore, participants framed their drinking behaviours within narratives of personal responsibility, often emphasising moderation and control while downplaying potential risks.ConclusionThis research highlights the need for greater public health attention to the drinking behaviours of older women and the potential vulnerabilities they face, including industry influence on their alcohol-related beliefs and behaviours. Future research should explore targeted public health interventions that address the normalisation of alcohol consumption in older age and counter industry narratives that position drinking as a personal choice rather than a public health concern. Regulatory and policy measures should consider the unique social and cultural contexts shaping alcohol use in this demographic, ensuring that older women are not overlooked in alcohol harm prevention strategies.