Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

E-cigarette adverts banned by watchdog

 

Charlie Cooper
Tuesday 24 September 2013 17:13 EDT
Comments
65 complaints were made to ASA regarding the E-Lites advert
65 complaints were made to ASA regarding the E-Lites advert

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Three adverts for e-cigarettes have been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), in the first such action to be taken against the tobacco alternative products.

A television and a radio advert for E-Lites and a television advert for Sky Cigs were banned. ASA said that the adverts did not make it clear that the products contained nicotine.

The TV advert for E-Lites, one of the UK’s leading brands, showed a family admiring a baby. The father leaves the room, apparently for a cigarette, just before the baby takes his first steps and starts dancing. The man returns and asks: “What have I missed?”

ASA received 65 complaints about the advert and an accompanying campaign, which also included a radio advert and posters on buses. It said that the TV advert could amuse children and breached rules which restrict adverts that might interest children from referring to smoking.

Zandera Ltd, the manufacturer of E-Lites, and Zulu Ventures Ltd, which makes Sky Cigs, were unavailable for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in