Latest news with #ASA
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Brakpan runner strives for nationals qualification to honour father
Brakpan resident, Donovan van Zyl started the provincial cross-country season with a blistering run at the Kwa-Thema Stadium earlier this month in his bid to qualify for the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country Championships in Middleburg in September. Van Zyl began the year on the front foot with a victory in the 5km races at the Benoni Northerns Marathon on April 13, followed by an exceptional performance at the MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon on May 1. Though the teenager's form, hard work and drive will likely earn him a spot in the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) team for the nationals, he's inspired to do it for his wheelchair-bound father. 'It's a big dream to go to the nationals. My dad inspired me to do this. My coach, Jared de Waal, also helps me a lot,' he said. The Irun Athletics Club athlete's father, Andrè Swart, is a former rugby player who also excelled in athletics. Swart was involved in a car accident that landed him in a wheelchair. 'He was an SA athlete. He was one of the best. He did all athletics except for the long distances. I'm doing this for him.' Asked about his performance in the first CGA Cross Country League meeting on May 3, where he clocked 22:20 in the U17 boys' 6km race, Van Zyl said he was headed in the right direction. While the race gave him a sense of what to expect as the season progressed, he was disappointed with its aftermath. He started at a blistering pace, which affected him at the end because he finished seventh. In the remaining leagues, however, the middle-distance runner will adopt a conservative approach, allowing him to hit his strides in the second half. ALSO READ: Medals and memories shine at SAAFA's 80th anniversary banquet 'The biggest lesson was starting to avoid starting fast. I must ease into the race and go for it once I've assessed my competition and my body is warm. Cross-country is tough. It needs you to strategise,' Van Zyl said. He started running because it 'clears my mind on tough days and puts my head into a good space'. Reflecting on his journey in the sport, he said, 'It's been hard, but I work hard. Coach Jared motivates us to chase our dreams.' Van Zyl's biggest goal is to go to the Olympic Games, but first, he must tackle the easy task of qualifying for his first cross-country nationals. 'I will give it my all in the remaining league.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Time Business News
2 days ago
- Health
- Time Business News
From Clouds to Compliance: How Vape Kit Advertising is Evolving Online
The vaping industry has undergone massive growth over the last decade, carving out a substantial niche in the global nicotine market. As vape kits became more advanced, stylish, and accessible, so too did the methods used to market them—particularly online. However, with rising concerns around youth vaping and public health, governments and regulatory bodies have introduced new standards and tightened advertising regulations. These changes are redefining how vape products are presented on the internet. In this blog, we'll explore the evolving landscape of online advertising standards for vape kits, what prompted these changes, how brands are adapting, and what it all means for marketers and consumers alike. In a world driven by technology, users crave products that combine performance, durability, and sleek design. One such standout is the Hayati pro max plus 6000, which redefines expectations with its cutting-edge features and user-focused design. Engineered for those who demand excellence, it offers extended functionality without compromising on style or convenience. Whether you're on the go or relaxing at home, this device adapts to your lifestyle effortlessly. With a seamless interface and long-lasting capabilities, it's more than just a gadget—it's a reliable companion for daily living. Experience modern efficiency like never before with this groundbreaking innovation. When vape kits first entered the scene, they were marketed as smoking cessation tools, offering smokers a 'healthier' alternative. Over time, the market exploded, with stylish designs, countless flavors, and celebrity endorsements contributing to a surge in popularity—particularly among young adults and teenagers. Much of this growth was driven by digital marketing. Brands utilized influencer partnerships on platforms like Instagram, flashy banner ads, email campaigns, and even TikTok videos to reach a wide audience. However, this aggressive and often youth-targeted advertising triggered alarm bells for public health officials. Several factors converged to force a regulatory overhaul of online vape advertising: Youth Vaping Epidemic: Studies showed dramatic increases in teen vaping, prompting regulatory agencies like the U.S. FDA and the UK's ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) to take action. Youths were being exposed to appealing flavors, sleek product imagery, and influencer content glamorizing vaping. Public Health Concerns: Though often promoted as safer than smoking, vaping isn't without risk. The long-term health effects are still being studied, and misleading advertising raised concerns about downplaying potential harms. Policy Pressures: Lobbying from health groups and stricter national policies created legal obligations for companies to revise their marketing strategies, especially when it came to advertising across borders. Platform Accountability: Social media giants and search engines came under pressure to restrict or ban vape advertising to prevent exposure to underage users. The new landscape for vape kit advertising online varies by country, but several core principles are being adopted globally: One of the primary regulatory shifts involves age-gating content. Vape ads must now be shown only to verified users over the legal smoking age, usually through platforms with age restriction tools. This includes mandatory pop-ups on websites, requiring users to input their birthdate, or even implementing third-party verification tools. Regulators have cracked down hard on influencer marketing. Vape brands can no longer partner with influencers whose audiences include significant numbers of underage users. In some jurisdictions, all lifestyle imagery (such as someone appearing cool, trendy, or athletic while vaping) is banned outright, since it may glamorize the habit. Flavors like 'Unicorn Milk' or 'Cotton Candy Crush' once dominated vape marketing because of their appeal. Today, many regions have banned the use of such names in online ads, considering them too enticing for minors. Ads must use plain, factual language and avoid descriptors that sound like treats or desserts. Major digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google, and TikTok have imposed outright bans on paid vape advertisements. Even organic content is closely monitored, and any content deemed promotional can be flagged or removed. Brands must now walk a fine line between educating adult users and unintentionally promoting products. In line with tobacco advertising rules, many countries now require prominent disclaimers on vape-related content. These may include messages like 'This product contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance' or information about health risks. Failure to include these can result in content takedowns or financial penalties. For multinational vape brands, online advertising must now comply with the rules of each region they operate in. That means crafting multiple versions of content and ensuring their display settings respect local restrictions—a complicated but necessary process for global marketing teams. Despite these changes, vape brands are finding creative and compliant ways to maintain visibility: Content Marketing : Brands are investing more in educational blogs, how-to guides, and product comparison articles that deliver value to users while steering clear of promotional language. : Brands are investing more in educational blogs, how-to guides, and product comparison articles that deliver value to users while steering clear of promotional language. SEO and Organic Search : With paid ads limited, SEO has become critical. Companies are optimizing websites for relevant keywords to attract adult users through organic search. : With paid ads limited, SEO has become critical. Companies are optimizing websites for relevant keywords to attract adult users through organic search. Email Marketing (With Restrictions) : While not immune to regulations, email marketing remains one of the last direct communication channels. Brands must ensure recipients are age-verified and have consented to receive messages. : While not immune to regulations, email marketing remains one of the last direct communication channels. Brands must ensure recipients are age-verified and have consented to receive messages. Retail Partnerships and Affiliate Marketing : Many brands are leveraging licensed resellers or affiliate marketers with established compliance protocols to promote their products. : Many brands are leveraging licensed resellers or affiliate marketers with established compliance protocols to promote their products. Packaging as a Marketing Tool: As advertising shifts away from flashy visuals, packaging design has taken center stage. Clear, mature, and informative labeling now plays a significant role in brand identity. Advanced algorithms and AI moderation tools are being deployed by tech platforms to enforce advertising policies automatically. These tools can flag inappropriate content, detect influencer-brand relationships, and monitor language use in real-time. At the same time, vape brands are also using technology to stay compliant—integrating age-verification software, geo-blocking tools, and content management systems to ensure the right audiences see their content. As technology evolves and research into vaping continues, the advertising landscape is likely to keep shifting. Several trends to watch include: Increased Global Harmonization : Regulatory bodies may begin to adopt more unified international standards for vape advertising to prevent regulatory arbitrage. : Regulatory bodies may begin to adopt more unified international standards for vape advertising to prevent regulatory arbitrage. Transparency and Public Reporting : Companies may be required to report their digital marketing practices and compliance efforts more openly. : Companies may be required to report their digital marketing practices and compliance efforts more openly. Rise of Harm Reduction Narratives : Expect a pivot in messaging—from glamorization to harm reduction. Brands will increasingly emphasize their role in helping smokers transition from cigarettes in a more medically responsible tone. : Expect a pivot in messaging—from glamorization to harm reduction. Brands will increasingly emphasize their role in helping smokers transition from cigarettes in a more medically responsible tone. Emergence of Niche Platforms: As mainstream social networks restrict vape content, niche forums or closed communities could become key hubs for adult user engagement. The online advertising standards for vape kits are evolving rapidly—and for good reason. While the industry continues to serve adult smokers seeking alternatives, it must also meet growing demands for ethical marketing and public health responsibility. For brands, this means adapting to a new era of transparency, compliance, and creative restraint. For consumers, particularly adults who vape, it means being presented with clearer, more honest information. As the digital advertising world rebalances, the vape sector has a chance to reinvent itself—not as a trend, but as a regulated industry that respects both its users and its social impact. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Request for POLICE presence at ASA elections raises serious red flags
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has issued a call for calm, unity, and transparency ahead of the upcoming Athletics South Africa (ASA) elections, scheduled for 31 May 2025 at Garden Court OR Tambo. The party has voiced deep concern over what it describes as 'worrying developments' within the federation's leadership and election processes. The DA's statement comes in response to a formal request by ASA President James Moloi for police presence at the elective meeting , a move the DA says signals severe dysfunction within ASA's leadership structures. 'Electoral processes within sports federations should be peaceful, democratic exercises, not events that require law enforcement to prevent unrest,' the party said. 'The fact that such a request was deemed necessary signals a federation in disarray and teetering on the edge of chaos.' Further signs of turbulence within ASA include legal threats from license holders, the withdrawal of nominees from Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), and reports of additional provincial pullouts ahead of the vote. 'The looming presence of the police at what should be a straightforward elective meeting is unprecedented and deeply shameful,' the DA added. The DA has urged ASA members and stakeholders to put aside factionalism and commit to a transparent, fair, and democratic election process governed by the rule of law. 'These elections must not be tainted by intimidation or interference,' the party said. 'They must be governed by fairness, the rule of law, and a shared commitment to the long-term wellbeing of South African athletics.' The opposition party also warned that the latest round of ASA infighting is part of a broader, recurring pattern of administrative dysfunction. ASA has been repeatedly criticised by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport for governance failures, financial mismanagement, and internal disputes – issues that the DA says have been 'too often funded at the taxpayer's expense.' Amid the growing disarray, the DA pointed to the extraordinary performances of South African athletes, who continue to shine despite the instability at ASA. Citing 19-year-old Bayanda Walaza's record-breaking 9.94 in the 100m in Zagreb this past weekend, the party lamented how such feats are overshadowed by the federation's leadership failures. 'Moments like these should be celebrated nationally, not buried under boardroom drama,' the DA said. 'Our athletes deserve more than mismanagement and infighting. They deserve a federation that reflects the principles of accountability, professionalism, and unity.' With the ASA elections days away, all eyes are on the federation to demonstrate maturity and responsibility in managing its internal affairs. The DA reiterated its stance that South African athletes' dedication must be matched by leadership that honours the flag they represent. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
ASA 2024 Annual Report: Strengthening Consumer Protections With Effective Ad Self-Regulation
Press Release – Advertising Standards Authority Industry have risen to the challenge with the adoption of two new Codes in 2024, working with us as we rolled out new ad protections for children, and for all New Zealanders under the Food and Beverage Code, ASA Chief Executive Hilary Souter said. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) today released its 2024 Annual Report, detailing the extensive work undertaken to strengthen consumer protections and support industry awareness and compliance with the Advertising Codes. Highlights from our report include: We received 1628 complaints. Following triage, we considered 1312 formal complaints about 206 ads 100 ads were accepted for review by the Complaints Board, of these 62% were requested to be removed or amended The industry compliance rate with decisions was 99% Enhanced protection for children and vulnerable audiences with the launch of the new Children's Advertising Code, and Food and Beverage Advertising Code Investment in industry education and training, with 20+ education and compliance resources published, and a suite of free webinars to support industry adoption of the new Codes The five most complained about ads from 2024 ASA Chief Executive Hilary Souter said, 'Industry support is the foundation of the ASA self-regulatory process, with a collective purpose to uphold high standards of responsible advertising in New Zealand. Industry have risen to the challenge with the adoption of two new Codes in 2024, working with us as we rolled out new ad protections for children, and for all New Zealanders under the Food and Beverage Code. We thank the industry for their continued support of our process, as we work together on making every ad a responsible ad. We are also grateful to the consumers and wider community who engage with our work – whether it be through our complaints process or our public consultations, consumer input is crucial to the effective operation of the ASA. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025.'
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
ASA 2024 Annual Report: Strengthening Consumer Protections With Effective Ad Self-Regulation
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) today released its 2024 Annual Report, detailing the extensive work undertaken to strengthen consumer protections and support industry awareness and compliance with the Advertising Codes. Highlights from our report include: We received 1628 complaints. Following triage, we considered 1312 formal complaints about 206 ads 100 ads were accepted for review by the Complaints Board, of these 62% were requested to be removed or amended The industry compliance rate with decisions was 99% Enhanced protection for children and vulnerable audiences with the launch of the new Children's Advertising Code, and Food and Beverage Advertising Code Investment in industry education and training, with 20+ education and compliance resources published, and a suite of free webinars to support industry adoption of the new Codes The five most complained about ads from 2024 ASA Chief Executive Hilary Souter said, 'Industry support is the foundation of the ASA self-regulatory process, with a collective purpose to uphold high standards of responsible advertising in New Zealand. Industry have risen to the challenge with the adoption of two new Codes in 2024, working with us as we rolled out new ad protections for children, and for all New Zealanders under the Food and Beverage Code. We thank the industry for their continued support of our process, as we work together on making every ad a responsible ad. We are also grateful to the consumers and wider community who engage with our work – whether it be through our complaints process or our public consultations, consumer input is crucial to the effective operation of the ASA. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025.'
