The WA Government has banned the sale of sugary drinks in public hospitals.

A new policy will see all vending machines and retail outlets including cafes, gift shops and kiosks banned from selling sugar-sweetened drinks that have low or no nutritional value, including soft drinks, iced tea, energy and sports drinks and some fruit juices, flavoured waters and milks.

However, sugar-free soft drinks — including diet soft drinks — are still allowed pin containers smaller than 600ml.

Western Australia’s Health Department acting assistant director-general for public and Aboriginal health, Denise Sullivan, says the policy is intended to address the state’s growing obesity problem.

“Currently, around 70 per cent of adults are overweight or obese and 25 per cent of kids, so it really falls on the department to ensure that we are also reflecting the health messages that we are promoting out in the community, which is around ensuring that there are healthy choice options available,” Ms Sullivan said.

The measure follows on from the department's Healthy Options WA: Food and Nutrition policy, which imposes a "traffic light" labelling system for foods.

It requires half of all food and drinks sold to be “green”, meaning they are low in saturated fat, added sugar and salt. Vendors can have a maximum of 20 per cent “red” or unhealthy foods.

Conditions have been tightened after a 2019 audit revealed none of WA's hospitals had fully complied with a mandatory policy to serve healthier food.

Ms Sullivan said the rollout of the latest scheme has already begun.

“We're seeing good progress primarily within our major metropolitan hospitals, so sugar-sweetened beverages have for the most part disappeared from our vending machines,” she said.

“[But there is] a little bit of work still to be done in terms of the cafeteria food services, but expectations are that we'll see good compliance in time.”