MUMBAI: In April, Advertising Standards Council of India’s (ASCI) Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 82 out of 124 advertisements.
Out of 82 advertisements against which complaints were upheld, 44 belonged to Personal and Healthcare category. The category once again topped the list making the upheld rate at more than 95 per cent.
Complaints against 46 advertisements were file out of which 44 were upheld. The CCC found the following claims in health and personal care product or service ads, released in the press to be either misleading or false or not adequately / scientifically substantiated and hence violating ASCI’s Code. Some of the health care products or services ads also contravened provisions of the Drug & Magic Remedies Act.
Some of the complaints included HUL’s advertisement of Axe Extra Strong claims that Axe has a crazy effect on women. The ‘NSFW Make Them Strip’ video shows women turning into nymphomaniacs after smelling the deodorant. The TVC shows indecent depiction of women which is likely in the light of generally prevailing standards of decency to cause grave or widespread offence. Marico’s advertisement of Nihar Naturals Shanti Amla claims that “It is one of the fastest growing hair oil brands in the country.”
As well as Oriflame’s claim that Oriflame Optimals White has oxygen active that boosts skin cell respiration. It is World Exclusive Patented Antioxidant Technology that shields your skin against environmental stress on a cellular level - Oxygen Boost. Dr Batra’s Homeopathic Clinic’s advertisement claims that more than 1.41 lakh skin cases successfully treated. The success rate for “Psoriasis (Scaly Skin)” has been 90 per cent and for “White Patches” has been 89 per cent. The experience of treating over 1.41 lakh skin cases - (AQA) has super: Certified and Authenticated by AQA.
The category following it was education. The CCC found following claims in print advertisements by 21 different advertisers were not substantiated and thus, violated ASCI guidelines for advertising of educational institutions and hence the complaints against these ads were upheld: Times Centre for Learning advertisement of Timespro claims that get a top job in banks even before you start to learn banking. Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth claims that the Vidyapeeth is Ranked A++ by Business India. Ranked among Top 100 B schools in India by Dalal Street Journal. Most Promising B- School by Brand Academy. Ranked 57th in India, the Week and has given 100 per cent placements in past years.
