Liverpool Bans Vape Ads: Public Transport Crackdown
Liverpool City Region is set to enforce a strict ban on vape advertising across its public transport network. Mayor Steve Rotheram has proposed using his authority over publicly owned assets to remove advertisements for vapes, along with junk food and sugary drinks, from trains, ferries, and buses. The initiative aims to stop the “normalization” of products known to damage health, specifically targeting the marketing exposure faced by children in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Transport Ad Ban: Vape advertisements will be prohibited on buses, trains, and ferries across the Liverpool City Region.
- Mayor’s Authority: Steve Rotheram is leveraging control over public assets to prioritize public health over advertising profit.
- Regional Precedent: The move follows similar enforcement by local authorities like Sefton Council.
Stopping the “Normalization” of Vaping
Mayor Steve Rotheram’s proposal reveals a clear intent to de-normalize the visibility of vaping in daily life. Rotheram argues that it is ethically wrong to promote products known to cause harm in spaces people rely on every day. By stripping vape ads from the bus and rail network, the authority is sending a signal that the city region prioritizes health outcomes over commercial revenue.
The Mayor stated explicitly that the authority is “putting a stop” to an environment where children grow up surrounded by these advertisements. This policy aligns with broader efforts, such as chef Jamie Oliver’s #AdEnough campaign, to sanitize public spaces from harmful marketing.
Public Assets for Public Interest
The ban applies to infrastructure controlled by the Combined Authority. Rotheram emphasizes that publicly owned assets should work in the public interest, not serve as billboards for health-damaging industries. While the initiative also targets junk food due to high obesity rates in deprived areas, the inclusion of vapes marks a significant step in treating e-cigarettes as a public health concern rather than a lifestyle product.
The plan is scheduled to go before the combined authority meeting this Friday for approval.
- News source: Ban on junk food and vape adverts proposed
- Read more: UK Vape Marketing Laws: Guide for Vape Businesses
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