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English lawmakers to limit junk-food adverts aimed at children

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

News laws are being implemented in 2025 to restrict TV ads before 9pm and ban certain online advertisements altogether.

England’s government has announced a range of new measures that will restrict or prohibit the advertising of junk food to children. TV advertisements are to be banned from airing before the 9pm, while online advertisements for products that are high in fat, salt and sugar will be banned altogether. 

 

Legislation has been promised for several years, but frequently delayed by previous Conservative-led governments to give the industry “more time to prepare”. At the time, they were criticised in some quarters for allegedly putting the interests of big business ahead of improving children’s health. 

 

Now the recently elected Labour Party government has confirmed an implementation deadline of 1 October 2025.

 

The country’s health minister, Andrew Gwynne, told parliament he was acting because of widespread concern about the number of children who are overweight. 

Photo by Alejandro Aznar from Pexels

Tackle the problem of overweight or obese children 

 

“More than one in five children in England are overweight or living with obesity by the time they start primary school, and this rises to more than one-third by the time they leave,” he said. “We want to tackle the problem head on, and that includes implementing the restrictions on junk food advertising on TV and online without further delay.” 

 

In 2022, the previous government introduced legislation to restrict the promotion of unhealthy products in shops, and to ensure healthier food are more easily accessible. However, community groups have expressed concern that these laws are not being properly enforced. 

 

Impact on Urban Health, a charity that promotes healthy living, has welcomed the announcement, but urged authorities to also enact similar measures for junk food adverts on the street, public transport and social media. 

 

Its Executive Director, Peter Babudu, told the BBC that “it is not right that children face a flood of unhealthy options and junk food advertising in the places they spend most of their time”.

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.