Stakeholder analysis of banning unhealthy product advertisement in Iran

The advertising of unhealthy products, including unhealthy foods, drugs with abuse potential, certain cosmetic products and services, and tobacco, has raised significant public health concerns due to its role in increasing consumption and contributing to the rise of non-communicable diseases. Policy development and enforcement in this area necessitate an in-depth analysis of the relevant stakeholders. This study aims to examine the stakeholders involved in regulating the advertisement of unhealthy products in Iran, providing critical evidence for shaping advertising regulations and reducing the societal consumption of such products.

This qualitative study, conducted in 2022, involved 18 experts experienced in the area of unhealthy product advertisement in Iran. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods. The stakeholders' roles, power, positions, and interests were analyzed using Schmeer's guidelines.

17 stakeholders were identified as relevant to the ban on unhealthy product advertisements, of whom 14 were classified as active and three as inactive. Key stakeholders included radio and television broadcasters, the Ministries of Health, Culture, and Industry, as well as political institutions. The Ministry of Health (MOHME) emerged as a leading advocate for the ban, while the Ministries of Culture and Industry, along with political institutions, were identified as possessing significant power with moderate support for the policy. In contrast, broadcasters and social media platforms were powerful opponents of the ban.

The study underscores the pivotal role of stakeholders with high power and medium interest in the success of policies aimed at banning unhealthy product advertisements. Key challenges included conflicts of interest, insufficient penalties for organizations violating advertising regulations, organizational disputes, limited human and financial resources, lack of clear implementation guidelines, weak community engagement, and inadequate oversight. Engaging key stakeholders effectively could mitigate these obstacles and facilitate more effective health policy interventions in the future.