BRITAIN proposed a ban on online advertising of unhealthy foods on Tuesday(10), as part of its efforts to tackle obesity and improve public health - a mission it says has been made more urgent by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government says obesity is one of Britain's biggest long-term public health problems with almost two-thirds of adults in England overweight and one in three children leaving primary school overweight or obese.
Measures published by the government would, if implemented, ban online adverts for foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
"We know as children spend more time online, parents want to be reassured they are not being exposed to adverts promoting unhealthy foods, which can affect eating habits for life," health minister Matt Hancock said in a statement.
Being overweight has been shown to increase the risk of serious illness or death from Covid-19 - a fact highlighted by prime minister Boris Johnson who has publicly talked about his own need to lose weight since being hospitalised with the disease.
The government said earlier this year it wanted to ban television and online advertising for unhealthy foods before 9pm, but the draft measures published on Tuesday would go further and introduce a total ban online.
This would include paid-for adverts and search listings, adverts pushed directly on mobile devices and viral advertisements - content produced with the aim of being widely shared on social media. Other forms of online advertising would also be banned.
The plan is being put out for consultation with the industry, the public and other interested parties over the next six weeks.
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)