11 November 2025
The Bristol Evaluation of Advertising Restrictions (BEAR) study team have called for changes to advertising laws for unhealthy products at Sense About Science’s Evidence Week at the Palace of Westminster. The week (3-7 November) brought together parliamentarians and other policymakers with researchers to address big policy questions with evidence-based solutions.
The BEAR team, led by ARC West’s Professor Frank de Vocht, was joined by researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Cardiff, and the NIHR School for Public Health and Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams (PHIRST). Together they made the case at the event for restricting unhealthy advertising in outdoor settings such as billboards and bus stops.
Their recommendations include:
Their stand included a card game based on the study and was visited by MPs and peers interested in solutions for tackling obesity and alcoholism.
The team also produced a policy brief and video to explain their research and recommendations:
Professor Frank de Vocht said:
“Evidence Week is a fantastic opportunity for researchers to influence policy and make evidence-based cases to policymakers. We had some really important conversations which we hope will lead to change.
“Obesity is one of the biggest public health and economic challenges we face. It already affects 64% of adults in Britain and is projected to rise to 71% by 2040 – that’s 42 million people.
“The public supports restricting advertising for unhealthy food and drink. It won’t fix obesity on its own, but it’s a visible, popular step that signals leadership and delivers public health impact.”
Evidence Week, now in its eighth year, is run by the campaigning charity Sense about Science, in partnership with the Quadram Institute, the UK Statistics Authority, communities and research institutions from across the UK. During the week, MPs meet with leading scientists to get the latest insights on pressing issues covering topics as varied as Artificial Intelligence, health, sports gambling and prison management. It is an opportunity for the public, parliamentarians and researchers to come together to share knowledge and insights.
It also empowers legislators to engage with evidence and equips them with the critical tools to handle uncertainty, identify bias and scrutinise underlying assumptions.
Tracey Brown, Director of Sense about Science, said:
“MPs must engage with an astounding breadth of subjects and sources any given week. This is why Evidence Week in Parliament offers two days of rapid-fire briefings on cutting-edge tools and insights with some of the UK’s leading research groups. We’re delighted that MPs have the chance to hear directly from the University of Bristol about their new insights on food advertising that can inform public health policy.”
Photo credit: James Gifford-Mead