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London mayor bans ‘unrealistic’ body ads on transport
LONDON: London Underground, buses and other transport across the British capital will no longer have advertisements which portray “unrealistic” and “unhealthy” images,
LONDON: London Underground, buses and other transport across the British capital will no longer have advertisements which portray “unrealistic” and “unhealthy” images, particularly of women, that put pressure on the young to conform to such images.
This was one of London mayor Sadiq Khan’s election promises, given the growing concern that youngsters took extreme measures owing to pervasive advertisements of slim, “sexy” images, especially of women.
The new advertising policy will apply to advertisements submitted to Transport for London, the body that oversees transport across the city, the mayor’s office said.
It will not allow ads which could be seen as likely to cause pressure to conform to an unrealistic or unhealthy body shape, or as likely to create body confidence issues.
Khan said: “As the father of two teenage girls, I am extremely concerned about this kind of advertising which can demean people, particularly women, and make them ashamed of their bodies. It’s high time it came to an end.
“Nobody should feel pressurised, while they travel on the Tube or bus, into unrealistic expectations surrounding their bodies and I want to send a clear message to the advertising industry .”
Advertising on London transport is considered the most valuable in the world.
The mayor’s office said in the next eight-and-a-half years, it will generate £1.5 billion to reinvest in the network. “Advertising on our network is unlike TV, online and print media. Our customers can’t simply switch off or turn a page ,” said Graeme Craig of Transport for London.
