Romanian Senate adopts project banning commercial advertising in schools
The Senate adopted on February 18 a project banning commercial advertising in both public and private schools. The project, initiated by MPs from the ruling coalition PSD – ALDE, is aimed at the pre-university school cycles, Profit.ro reported.
The initiators of the project argued that marketing campaigns held in schools transform the educational institutions into a “national market,” where, because of the legislative void, companies can target an important customer segment.
“We can say that there is a certain type of campaign in schools, [rolled out] by companies producing goods, which at a first glance might have an informative role. Such initiatives had a main side – education, but also a secondary one – the promotion, more or less subtle, of products, turning the school into a national market,” the initiators of the project say.
The ban would also apply to day care centers, student residences and similar educational units. It also covers the advertising of services.
A fine of RON 1,500 (EUR 315) to RON 4,000 (EUR 842) could be applied to those not complying with the ban.
The project is now to be debated by the Chamber of Deputies, which is the decision-making body in this area.
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