According to a press release from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on November 8th, the organization has issued a ruling on Geekvape Electronic Cigarettes (UK) Ltd. The ASA found that an advertisement for their e-cigarettes on TikTok promoted nicotine-containing e-cigarettes without proper authorization, thus violating the e-cigarette advertising ban.
In a video, an internet personality opens the packaging of GEEK BAR (a subsidiary product of Geekvape) e-cigarette and recites a scripted advertisement. The screen text in the video reads "GeekBar Vapes". At the bottom of the video, the caption reads "#e600mesh #geekbar #freshgeek #ad".
Although Geekvape Electronic Cigarettes (UK) Ltd did not respond, TikTok has removed the advertisement and plans to review other posts on the account after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) questioned the video.
The ASA has determined that the advertisement violates the relevant guidelines, as it promotes the e-cigarette as a medicinal product without proper authorization, both directly and indirectly, in unauthorized media.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has expressed concern over Geekvape's lack of response and apparent disregard for the guidelines, as this violates Rule 1.7 (Unreasonable Delay) of the CAP Code (12th edition).
We remind them of their responsibility to respond promptly to our inquiries, and we inform them to continue doing so in the future," stated the announcement.
ASA issued a final statement, stating that the advertisement in question shall not be allowed to appear again in the complained about manner.
We have informed Geekvape Electronic Cigarettes (UK) Ltd that they should not use TikTok's public account for marketing and promotion of nicotine e-cigarettes and their components (without pharmaceutical approval), either directly or indirectly. We have reported this matter to the compliance team at CAP.
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