The European Heart Network (EHN), alongside 22 other public health organisations, signed a joint letter supporting Norway’s evidence-based regulation to ban the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children under the age of 18. The letter commends Norway’s leadership in prioritising children’s health and rights, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and in placing public health above commercial interests.
Signatories highlight that Norway is the first country to implement the World Health Organization’s 2010 recommendations to reduce children’s exposure to the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks. The letter emphasises that this pioneering policy has the potential not only to protect the health and well-being of Norwegian children, but also to set an important precedent internationally and help reinvigorate political action on nutrition and noncommunicable disease prevention.
The letter also raises concerns about strong industry opposition and lobbying efforts seeking to weaken or delay the regulation, warning that such pressure risks undermining children’s fundamental right to a healthy childhood.
EHN’s support is reinforced by several EHN member organisations, including the Danish Heart Foundation, Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, Finnish Heart Association, Icelandic Heart Association, Irish Heart Foundation, and Spanish Heart Foundation, demonstrating broad European support within the cardiovascular health civil society community for decisive action to protect children from harmful food marketing.