Russia moves to ban fast-food ads targeting children amid obesity crisis

A new bill in Russia aims to restrict fast-food advertising aimed at children. Drafted by State Duma Deputy Dmitry Svishchev, it would ban the use of minors or animated characters in ads for snacks, sugary drinks, and unhealthy meals. The move follows growing concerns over rising childhood obesity and its long-term health risks.

Earlier, the public group *Healthy Fatherland* pushed for higher excise taxes on chips, sweets, and fast food. Now, lawmakers and health experts are debating how best to tackle the issue—with some calling for stricter rules and others favouring education over bans.

The proposed advertising ban comes as childhood obesity rates climb sharply. Over the past ten years, obesity among children aged 6–11 has doubled, while among teenagers, it has tripled. Experts link this rise directly to increased fast-food consumption.

Public health advocate Orlov warns that unhealthy eating habits formed in youth often lead to serious conditions later in life. These include obesity, heart disease, and a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks. He also highlights that minors are more likely to make impulsive, emotion-driven food choices, making them especially vulnerable to marketing tactics. Not everyone supports strict restrictions, however. Dietitian Daria Rusakova argues that education—not bans—should be the focus. She points to growing food awareness among teenagers as a sign that informed choices, rather than legal limits, could be more effective. Other critics question whether advertising bans would work or if they might even backfire, causing unintended psychological effects. Some experts propose a broader approach instead of outright restrictions. Their suggestions include clearer food labelling, healthier school meal programmes, and public campaigns to raise awareness. So far, no Russian region has taken an official stance on the proposals or announced plans to oppose them. The debate follows an earlier call by *Healthy Fatherland* to introduce extra taxes on unhealthy foods. While that idea has not yet advanced, the new advertising bill signals a push for stronger measures to curb childhood obesity.

The draft law now faces further discussion in the State Duma. If passed, it would mark a significant step in regulating how fast food and snacks are marketed to children. Meanwhile, health professionals and policymakers continue to weigh the best strategies to improve youth nutrition—whether through stricter rules, taxes, or education.