Ad ban supporters target other media

by Our Parliamentary correspondent, Campaign 02-Mar-07

Campaigners for a ban on the advertising of junk food to children are turning their fire on press and posters after securing some curbs on TV commercials.

The advertising industry, which is reviewing its code of practice after
a request from the Government, is under mounting pressure to tighten it
to bring it into line with the new rules for TV from Ofcom.

Professor Sir Albert Aynsley-Green, the Government's Children's

Commissioner for England, said: "Our research has found that the
advertising of unhealthy foods in magazines, posters, text messages,
internet pop-ups, cartoon and film sponsorships are drowning out healthy
eating messages for children.

"We await with anticipation the proposals from the Committee for
Advertising Practice on the self-regulation of non-broadcast advertising
and hope it will have the courage needed to urgently tackle the alarming
increase in childhood obesity."

However, the Commissioner criticised Ofcom for ruling out a 9pm
watershed for junk-food commercials on TV.