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Arcom's public health initiatives
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Arcom ensures that the development of the audiovisual industry is accompanied by a high level of protection for the environment and public health (cf: Article 3-1 of law n°86-1067 on freedom of communication).
It mobilizes the audiovisual media to inform the general public on subjects of general interest, such as health alerts issued by the Ministry of Health (flu, heatwaves, etc.), food, the fight against smoking, etc.
In particular, it is careful to ensure that television and radio do not incite behavior that is dangerous to health.
For the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication, the audiovisual sector has an educational role to play in encouraging good behavior, especially in terms of diet and healthy lifestyle among youngsters. In view of the significant increase in health problems caused by obesity, and the complexity of the factors involved, Arcom has proposed the drafting and adoption by the stakeholders concerned of a food charter designed to promote healthy eating and regular physical activity.
The Food Charter
The 2025-2029 Food Charter
Charter to promote healthy eating and behavior in audiovisual programs, digital content and commercial communications
The Charter to promote healthy eating and behavior in audiovisual programs, digital content and commercial communications follows on from the Charter covering the period 2020-2024. It applies from January 1, 2025 for a period of five years, and includes new voluntary players (digital platforms, the fast-food sector, representatives of influencers and content creators, etc.) to amplify the fight agains overweight and obesity.
The 2020-2024 Food Charter
Charter to promote healthy eating and behavior in audiovisual programs and advertising
The Charte visant à promouvoir une alimentation et des comportements favorables à la santé dans les programmes audiovisuels et les publicités is the successor to the Charte visant à promouvoir une alimentation et une activité physique favorables à la santé dans les programmes et les publicités diffusés à la télévision. It will apply from February 1, 2020, for a period of five years.
This new Charter is in line with the objectives set out in Article 9 of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AMSD), and is open to new voluntary players (radio stations, digital platforms, particularly through their advertising agencies, outdoor advertising, etc.) in order to improve its scope. It also aims to facilitate exchanges between signatories. Last but not least, new methodological tools have been introduced to assess the impact of the agreement, and enhance its value.
Arcom's role
Arcom is responsible for monitoring the Charter's implementation, and for submitting an annual report to Parliament and to the Ministers of Health and Culture.
Each year, in addition to assessing TV channels' annual reports, Arcom draws up a report on the commitments made by TV channels under the Charter, and forwards it to all signatories.
To carry out its mission, Arcom has organized regular meetings with the players involved, including the channels, the Syndicat national des producteurs de films d'animation (SPFA), the Autorité de régulation professionnelle de la publicité (ARPP), the Association nationale des industries alimentaires (ANIA), the Syndicat national de la publicité télévisée (SNPTV), the French Ministry of Health and Santé Publique France.
Arcom is currently conducting a wide-ranging consultation with all the signatory organizations, as well as with other players directly or indirectly concerned by the possible development of this charter, in order to gather their feelings on the text of the charter, report on its impact on the general public, and identify possible points for improvement.
European Obesity Days
Every year since 2010, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication has been a partner of the "European Obesity Days". The aim is to inform the general public, not just those affected, and to propose solutions.
Arcom partners World Obesity Day 2025
"Let's put an end to prejudice about obesity disease".
Every year since 2010, Arcom has partnered the "World Obesity Days". The aim is to inform the general public and propose solutions.
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In France, over 8 million people suffer from obesity. By 2030, there will be 3.3 billion overweight people in the world.
Despite being recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization, obesity remains poorly understood, and misconceptions persist. That's why it's vital to inform the general public.
"To really tackle the problem of obesity, we must first recognize it as a disease," explains Anne-Sophie Joly, President of the Collectif National des Associations d'Obèses (CNAO), in charge of the campaign in France.
Media involvement is part of the food charter. As part of the European Obesity Days program, the media show visuals, a logo and a video produced by the CNAO and forwarded to them by Arcom.
"There's no better relay of information than the media to raise awareness raising among people affected by this pathology", says Anne-Sophie Joly, " the impact of the audiovisual campaign is enormous and helps many people to get better support".
Since 2009, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication has been informing and raising awareness within the audiovisual industry about this major public health issue.
In France, an estimated 7 million people are obese. At the same time, 6 out of 10 French people are convinced that obesity is only due to poor diet and lack of physical activity. Yet obesity is multifactorial: genetic, psychological, metabolic or environmental.
Fighting preconceived ideas and sedentary lifestyles, and encouraging physical exercise, are within the scope of the audiovisual media's role in promoting healthy behaviors.
"Obesity is a disease that can be treated", Arcom partner of World Obesity Days
A disease recognized by the World Health Organization, obesity affects over 7 million people in France. Arcom, a partner of World Obesity Day, is fulfilling its role of informing and raising awareness in the audiovisual industry about this major public health problem.
The French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication has been one of the most committed partners ofWorld Obesity Day on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, since 2010, encouraging good behavior, broadcasting news programmes promoting a healthy lifestyle, informing the general public and proposing solutions.
"Obesity is not a lifestyle choice", Arcom partner of World Obesity Day
The fight agains smoking
In France, the proportion of daily smokers among adults fell from 29.4% in 2016 to 25.4% in 2018, according to Santé publique France. Tobacco remains the leading cause of avoidable death in France and the leading cause of cancer mortality. In the name of this major public health issue, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication and the audiovisual media are joining forces with the Ministry of Health to reduce smoking nationwide.
As part of its general fight against smoking, Arcom is first and foremost enforcing the ban on "direct or indirect propaganda or advertising for tobacco and tobacco products" on television and radio.
The deliberation of June 17, 2008 concerning on-air exposure of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and unlawful drugs sets out the following principles in particular:
- Arcom does not tolerate any reference to tobacco in the advertising screens of television and radio service editors. No person consuming a tobacco product may appear in an advertising message, except in the case of a prevention message;
- These rules also apply to sponsorship;
- Smoking is not permitted on set or in the studio;
- News broadcasts, news programmes and documentaries may show a person consuming a tobacco product, provided the images are not promotional;
- With regard to reality TV shows, in view of their major impact on youngsters, and on the basis of articles 1 and 15 of the law of September 30, 1986, Arcom requests that the diffusion of images of candidates smoking in open places be avoided.
Arcom relays information between the Ministry of Health and television and radio stations on the National Tobacco Control Program(PNLT) 2018-2022. It ensures the diffusion of information and mobilizes the media in favor of public anti-smoking campaigns.
Similarly, since 2016, Arcom has been mobilizing TV and radio channels to take part in the "Moi(s) sans tabac" operation , initiated by the Ministry of Health, notably by encouraging them to show, during the month of November, programs dedicated to the fight against tobacco as well as the public interest campaign planned by Santé Publique France and inviting them to embed a logo on screen.
Moi(s) sans tabac" is a smoking prevention campaign designed to encourage smokers to stop smoking for a month, and to create environments conducive to quitting. In addition to a major communications scheme, Santé publique France relies on a network of players and partners, of which Arcom is within the scope of, to relay "Moi(s) sans tabac".
Browse the tabac-info-servicewebsite
A month to quit smoking together! Arcom is a partner of the "Mois sans tabac 2024" operation.
Committed to health protection and the fight against smoking, Arcom is renewing its official partnership with the #MoisSansTabac operation in November 2024.
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