Restriction of marketing to children
The Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition
A National Coalition advocating for restrictions on food and beverage marketing to children and youth was launched February 24, 2016 at the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada (CDPAC) annual conference.
Our Vision
The Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition envisions a future for Canada where children and parents make nutritious food choices in an environment free of influence from food and beverage marketing to children.
What We Do
The Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition aims to build awareness about the effects of food and beverage marketing to children in Canada.
Our Coalition unifies stakeholders through evidence-based research and our policy recommendation, the Ottawa Principles. Through cross-sector collaboration and evidence-informed policy development, we encourage the government to pass federal legislation and adopt robust regulations that adequately protect children from commercial food and beverage marketing in Canada.
Who is the Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition?
The Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition is led by Heart & Stroke and the Childhood Obesity Foundation. We are governed by twelve Steering Committee member organizations:
- Heart & Stroke (co-chair)
- Childhood Obesity Foundation (co-chair)
- Alberta Policy Coalition for Chronic Disease Prevention
- BC Alliance for Healthy Living
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Canadian Dental Association
- Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada
- Diabetes Canada
- Dietitians of Canada
- Food Secure Canada
- Toronto Public Health
- Quebec Coalition on Weight-Related Problems
Our Coalition and 2016 policy recommendation, the Ottawa Principles are endorsed by over 120 organizations and notable health experts.
Ottawa Principles
Definitions and Scope
1. Marketing refers to any form of commercial communication or message that is designed to, or has the effect of, increasing the recognition, appeal and/or consumption of particular products and services. It comprises anything that acts to advertise or otherwise promote a product or service.
2. Restrictions would apply to all food and beverages.
3. Restrictions do not relate to non-commercial marketing for valid public health education or public awareness campaigns.
4. The age at which restrictions in marketing to children would apply should be 16 years and younger.
Policy Recommendation
Restrict the commercial marketing of all food and beverages to children and youth age 16 years and younger. Restrictions would include all forms of marketing with the exception of non-commercial marketing for public education. In addition, the regulations should fulfill the nine Ottawa Principles.
The Childhood Obesity Foundation endorses the policy recommendation above.
More information about the Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition including a mechanism for concerned Canadians to send their member of parliament a letter supporting restrictions on food and beverage marketing to kids, is available at the coalition website at www.stopmarketingtokids.ca
View the press release here.
Visit this page to view past webinars
