A TikTok ad from fake tan and self tanning company The Fox Tan has been removed for encouraging sun exposure.
The advertisement shows a woman on a sun lounge using a ‘tanning accelerant’ (not a sunscreen) product from The Fox Tan.
In response to an unseen voiceover telling her to get out, she replies "You cannot force me away, I won't go, I will stay".
The Fox Tan ad via Ad Standards.
The complaint submitted to watchdog Ad Standards raised concerns of breaching AANA Code of Ethics 2.6 health and safety.
"The advertisement poses a risk to public safety by encouraging harmful sun exposure," the complaint stated.
While the company has a right to advertise their products, the Ad Standards Panel noted that the caption and voice-over both indicate that the woman has been in the sun at unsafe levels for too long and as a result encourages harmful sun exposure.
"Skin cancer affects a very large number Australians over their lifetime and continues to lead to a high number of deaths every year," the panel said.
"The audience for the advertisement is likely to be younger Australians interested in tanning and considered that the messaging in this advertisement was especially dangerous for this group of people."
Therefore, the ad breached Section 2.6 of the Code but The Fox Tan has not given a response yet.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.