Wrong generation

A series of Instagram posts advertising Vape Generation products has breached Section 2.6 (Health and Safety) of the AANA Code of Ethics. The Instagram posts included bright colours and images of foods promoting vape flavours such as ice-cream cake, bubble-gum and strawberry milk.

The Community Panel found that the ad was targeting children and teenagers which most members of the community would consider to be contrary to prevailing standards on health and safety.

Upheld - AANA Code of Ethics (Health and Safety)

Risqué business

A newspaper ad for an etto oil spray featuring a naked woman sitting on the lap of a naked man has been discontinued after being found to breach Section 2.4 (Sex, sexuality and nudity) of the Code of Ethics.

The Community Panel determined that the placement of the man’s hands and the way the woman is sitting on his lap indicates that their interaction has a strong sexual theme, suggestive of a prelude to sexual activity. The Panel considered that such sexualised imagery is not appropriate for a newspaper ad.

Upheld - AANA Code of Ethics (Sex, Sexuality and Nudity)

No piece of cake

An email ad for the Cheesecake Shop has breached the AANA Food and Beverages Code for targeting children.

The email promoted a colouring-in competition where the reward for children who entered was a complimentary slice of cake.

Section 3.4 of the AANA Food and Beverages Code prohibits advertisers from giving occasional food or beverage products to children as awards or prizes.

Upheld - AANA Food and Beverages Code (Giveaway products/vouchers)

Hungry for more? Check out these recently published decisions

• Mad Mex - Dismissed |Discrimination or Vilification
• United Legal - Dismissed| Discrimination or Vilification, Exploitative or Degrading
• Newscorp Australia - Dismissed | Discrimination or Vilification, Sex/Sexuality/Nudity, and Language
• Uber Australia - Dismissed | Discrimination or Vilification
• Mars Wrigley Australia - Dismissed | Discrimination or Vilification

Find all the latest decisions at adstandards.com.au/cases

What did Australians complain about in 2022?

Our Review of Operations includes a comprehensive analysis of all advertising complaints in 2022 and provides a snapshot of key issues like environmental claims and influencer advertising.

World Environment Day

June 5th was World Environment Day. When making environmental claims in advertising you must ensure that claims are true and can be substantiated. If you are unsure about whether your ad complies with the Environment Claims Code, we suggest you run it past us. We can provide fast, confidential and expert advice on all the advertising codes at any stage in the creative process.