IPH response to Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) consultation on food and soft drink advertising to children via non-broadcast media

Abstract

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) in the UK invited submissions to a consultation on food and soft drink advertising to children via non-broadcast media. IPH welcomes this consideration of tougher restrictions on the advertising of products high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) to children in the UK and Ireland who have similar access to non-broadcast media exposure across jurisdictions. Food preferences are influenced by marketing and advertising, and young people may not fully recognise the intent of marketing or demonstrate a critical understanding of advertising. Poor quality diet and overweight/obesity are significant threats to public health across Ireland and the United Kingdom. One in four children in the Republic of Ireland is either overweight or obese and in Northern Ireland, 21.2 per cent of Primary 1 children and 27.8 per cent of Year 8 children measured in 2014/2015 were considered overweight or obese.