The UK's Committee of Advertising Practice is considering whether tighter rules are needed to govern non-broadcast advertising of foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar to children.

CAP is launching a public consultation on the issue, it emerged today (29 September). It said its decision to carry out a public consultation responds, in part, to "changes in children’s media habits" and "evolving advertising techniques".

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Current rules already require that food and soft drink ads must not “condone poor nutritional habits or an unhealthy lifestyle” in children. Promotions, celebrities and licensed characters are banned in food and soft drink ads directed at younger children. The rules apply across all non-broadcast channels including online, outdoor, print media, cinema and direct marketing.

"CAP will ask a broad range of stakeholders whether a change of approach is now needed: an approach that would introduce for the first time in the non-broadcast code, rules covering the targeting of advertising, to children, of food and soft drinks high in fat, salt or sugar," CAP sister organisation the Advertising Standards Authority said in a statement.

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