A good news for consumers. We may get some relief from false and misleading ads on entertainment and news channels, print and social media as parliament on Tuesday passed the Consumer Protection Bill 2019 that seeks to establish authorities for timely and effective administration and settlement of consumer disputes. The Bill also seeks to strengthen the rights of consumers and provides a mechanism for redressal of complaints regarding defects in goods and deficiency in services
All of us know that advertisers exaggerate and make tall claims such as curing diabetes or baldness, reducing weight and increasing height etc. We are hardly aware that personal care products such as deodorants, anti-aging cream and cosmetics are not just out of need but we buy them for the aspirational value they add to our lifestyle as well. Consumers in small markets are influenced by such ads.
Misleading or false advertising is most rampant in India, The healthcare and personal care space, accounts for more than half the total number of advertisements found to have flouted the compliance norms and code of conduct of the Advertising Standards Council of India.
The consumer affairs department’s Grievance Against Misleading Advertisements (GAMA) portal received a total of 9,658 complaints from May 2015 to November 2018. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) processed 5,477 of the complaints.
During the period from January 20, 2017 to January 20, 2018 ASCI dealt with 732 complaints pertaining to misleading advertisements of AYUSH sector.
AYUSH, ministry had come across increasing instances of misleading advertisements or claims allegedly related to herbal, ayurvedic and other such products. It received 66 cases in 2015, 204 cases in 2016, 547 cases in 2017 and 358 in 2018.
Normally, advertisements are used to influence or attract the buyers. As most of companies or manufactures only goal is to rack up as many profits as possible, advertisements tend to conceal important facts, or use misleading quotes or images. Such ads deprive consumers of accurate information they need to make good.
Reluctantly, consumer ends up making uninformed decisions and wasting valuable money.Ultimately, consumers use the product without knowing the negative effects that come with the product.One of the devastating effects of misleading ads is that the whole system turns into sellers market.
Hopefully, the manufactures will become more cautious not to fleece consumers given the amended law .