Amsterdam Advert Ban

 

Amsterdam has become the world's first capital city to ban public advertisements for both meat and fossil fuel products. Since 1 May, adverts for burgers, petrol cars and airlines have been stripped from billboards, tram shelters, and metro stations. Politicians in the city say the move is about bringing Amsterdam's streetscape into line with the local government's own environmental targets. These aim for the Dutch capital to become carbon neutral by 2050, and for local people to halve their meat consumption over the same period. Removing that constant visual nudge, she says, both reduces impulse buying, and signals that cheap meat and fossil heavy travel are no longer aspirational lifestyle choices. "The climate crisis is very urgent," says Anneke Veenhoff from the GreenLeft Party. "I mean, if you want to be leading in climate policies and you rent out your walls to exactly the opposite, then what are you doing?

BBC - How would you feel as a meat producer following this ban? Will other cities follow?

Amsterdam Advert Ban

Junk Food Advert Ban Starts

Junk food adverts will be banned on television and online from Monday as part of a drive to tackle childhood obesity. The UK-wide ban will stop food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) being advertised on TV before 21:00 and at any time online. It applies to products considered to be the biggest drivers of childhood obesity, including soft drinks, chocolates and sweets, pizzas and ice creams. As well as more obviously unhealthy foods, the ban will also cover some breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, and main meals and sandwiches. Decisions over which products fall under the ban will be based on a scoring tool, balancing their nutrient levels against whether they are high in saturated fat, salt, or sugar. Firms can still promote healthier versions of banned products, which the government hopes will lead to food makers developing healthier recipes. It is estimated obesity costs the NHS more than £11bn every year. Evidence shows children's exposure to ads for unhealthy food can influence what they eat from a young age, in turn putting them at greater risk of becoming overweight or obese.The government estimates the ad ban will prevent around 20,000 cases of childhood obesity.

BBQ - Do you think the ban will be effective in reducing obesity?

Junk Food Ban

Bag Black Friday Loo Roll

 

When most people think of Black Friday, they picture queues for TVs, laptops, and the latest gadgets. But this year, consumer experts say the best bargains might be hiding in the bathroom aisle. According to research by Which?, some of the biggest genuine discounts are on everyday essentials like quilted toilet roll and cleaning products. While flashy tech deals often turn out to be less impressive than advertised, household staples are seeing real price drops.  One quirky tip doing the rounds: buy loo roll and keep the receipt. Why? Some retailers are offering cashback or loyalty bonuses on bulk purchases, meaning you could save even more later. With prices for premium brands like Andrex and Cushelle slashed by up to 40%, stocking up now could be a smart move for families looking to cut costs. Experts warn that many Black Friday deals are marketing tricks—prices inflated before the sale to make discounts look bigger. But when it comes to essentials, the savings are genuine. So, while everyone else is chasing TVs, you might just win Black Friday by filling your cupboard with toilet paper.Shoppers often hold off buying items hoping they'll be cheaper down the line. It turned out that none of the 175 products tracked by Which? were at their cheapest price of the year on the day of Black Friday itself.

BBQ - Why do retailers use psychological tactics like ‘limited-time offers’ during sales events? Do these strategies benefit consumers or businesses more?

Black Friday