The UK Parliament has passed a new law banning all junk food advertising targeting children under 16, both on TV and online platforms like YouTube and Instagram. The move follows alarming reports of childhood obesity affecting 1 in 5 UK children.
Fast food companies are now required to remove ads featuring cartoon characters, influencers, or gamified content. Fines for violations will range from £10,000 to £250,000.
Health authorities in Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh—facing rising urban child obesity—can adopt similar digital advertising restrictions. This provides a practical template for culturally adapted campaigns in South Asia.
