Marketing & Branding News:
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned four TikTok ads for e-cigarettes after finding they could encourage underage use.
The ads, which featured young people, were deemed to be irresponsible and could appeal to children. One of the ads showed a group of young people vaping in a park, while another showed a young person vaping in their bedroom.
The ASA said that the ads “exploited the natural curiosity of children and young people” and “could be seen to glamorise vaping”.
The decision comes amid mounting pressure on the vaping industry. In April, the government announced plans to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in England in a bid to discourage young people from using them.
The ASA said that it had contacted TikTok to remind the company of its responsibilities under the advertising code. TikTok said that it had removed the ads and would “continue to work with the ASA to ensure that our advertising complies with the code”.
The news is a blow to the vaping industry, which is already facing a number of challenges. The government’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes is likely to further reduce the appeal of vaping to young people.
