Transcript Lecture to ministers!.

Europe: children and
marketing update
Tim Lobstein
International Obesity TaskForce
International Association for the
Study of Obesity
London, UK
WHO European Region
2006 Expert
consultation:
“...action is
essential” to
control advertising
to children
WHO European Region
“Specific regulatory measures
should include: the adoption
of regulations to substantially
reduce the extent and impact
of commercial promotion of
energy-dense foods and
beverages, particularly to
children, with the
development of international
approaches, such as a code
on marketing to children in
this area…”
WHO European Region
2007: Second 5-year Food and
Nutrition Action Plan
Includes need to control
marketing to children, labelling
and other policy measures to
support marketing controls
WHO EMRO
Oct 2007: RHA
resolution
recommending
stronger regulation of
2008: Eight-country working food and beverage
advertising to children
group to develop regional
policies on marketing to
children, led by Norwegian
government.
First meeting January 2008.
European Commission
2004: Commissioner gives industry ‘one year’ to show
reform or will regulate.
2005: extended further two years.
2006: Green Paper discussion on policy
2007: White Paper on nutrition and obesity policy…
Advertising to children
“The Commission’s preference, at this stage, is to keep
the existing voluntary approach at EU level due to the
fact that it can potentially act quickly and effectively to
tackle rising overweight and obesity rates. The
Commission will assess this approach and the various
measures taken by industry, in 2010 and determine
whether other approaches are also required.”
European Parliament
2008: In the absence
of evidence on the
impact of advertising
on children’s food
choices and diets,
policy makers should
develop
recommendations
based on the
precautionary
principle.
Protection of children
• Ireland 2004: ban on celebrities etc promoting
products on children’s TV
• Latvia 2005: banned additives in children’s
school food
• France 2006: health warnings on TV adverts –
or pay extra fee. 2008: ‘voluntary ban’ suggested.
• UK 2007: new rules to limit exposure to fatty
sugary food advertising during children’s TV
UK 2008
Government consultation launched yesterday…
Assessing the Impact of the
Commercial World on Children's
Wellbeing - A Call for Evidence
Launch Date:
Monday 7 April 2008
Closing Date:
Monday 30 June 2008
Non-profit advocacy groups
CI & IASO
International Code
March 2008, aiming
to contribute to the
WHO consultation
on marketing
Thank you!
Tim Lobstein
[email protected]
IASO-IOTF