Abstract
Background: The advertising of unhealthy products, by influencing the level of consumption of these products, has become a pressing concern due to its contribution to the rise of non-communicable diseases in society. Policy-making to control advertising, however, faces numerous challenges due to the need to involve different stakeholders. This study aims to analyze the stakeholders involved in banning the advertising of unhealthy products in Iran, potentially paving the way for more effective health policies.
Methods: This research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 18 stakeholders in the advertising of unhealthy goods in Iran in 2022. The experts were selected using a purposive and snowball sampling method. PolicyMaker V.4 and MAXQDA V.16 software were used to analyze stakeholders.
Results: The study revealed that out of 26 stakeholders, 20 were active, and six were inactive. Notably, the media emerged as key stakeholders with significant power, opposing the ban on advertising harmful goods. On the other hand, the Ministry of Health, the National Standards Organisation, the Food and Drug Organisation, and the medical system were the most supportive actors. The Ministries of Culture and Industry and political institutions, while powerful, showed moderate support. These findings underscore the complex dynamics of stakeholder involvement in banning unhealthy product advertisements in Iran.
Conclusions: The study's findings highlight the crucial role of stakeholders with a neutral approach and high power in the success of banning unhealthy product advertisements. Importantly, the Ministry of Health, if granted more power to lead and manage stakeholders, could significantly enhance the effectiveness of health policies. This suggests that engaging influential stakeholders in a leadership team could be a promising strategy for future health policy initiatives.