---
title: "Behind the National Radio and Television Administration's Ban on Promoting Betel Nut"
description: "The National Radio and Television Administration has ordered a halt to the promotion and sale of betel nut and its products via radio, television, and online audiovisual programs. This move comes amid growing concerns over betel nut's classification as a Group 1 carcinogen and its link to oral cancer, as well as the prevalence of betel nut advertising on popular shows."
author: "New Distribution"
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published: "2021-09-23"
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# Behind the National Radio and Television Administration's Ban on Promoting Betel Nut

> The National Radio and Television Administration has ordered a halt to the promotion and sale of betel nut and its products via radio, television, and online audiovisual programs. This move comes amid growing concerns over betel nut's classification as a Group 1 carcinogen and its link to oral cancer, as well as the prevalence of betel nut advertising on popular shows.

Source: FMCG Elite Club (ID: FMCG-CLUB)

Recently, the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) issued a notice stating that, effective immediately, the promotion and sale of betel nut and its products through radio, television, and online audiovisual programs must cease.

The NRTA emphasized that all radio, television, and online audiovisual institutions should attach great importance to this matter, enhance the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four Confidences," and achieve the "Two Upholds." They must strictly implement the responsibility system for ideological work and the requirement that advertising and publicity also adhere to proper guidance. They should promptly organize verification and cleanup to ensure the above requirements are implemented, safeguard the interests of the people, and create a favorable communication environment.

In fact, people have long recognized the dangers of betel nut. In 2003, the World Health Organization classified betel nut as a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans). Years of medical research have shown that chewing betel nut can cause oral cancer. In some provinces where betel nut is popular, the incidence of oral cancer is much higher than the average.

In August this year, the Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul reminded that according to Turkish law, arecoline, a component of betel nut, is considered a drug due to its hallucinogenic properties, and travelers should not bring betel nut into Turkey.

**Why do consumers ignore the obvious dangers of betel nut?** Previously, betel nut advertisements that were not explicitly banned played a role in promoting its consumption.

In 2019, the Hunan Betel Nut Food Industry Association issued a notice requiring all betel nut enterprises in Hunan Province to stop all domestic advertising and promotion from that day forward.

However, the constraints from industry associations seem ineffective. In the past two years, betel nut advertisements have moved from radio and television to popular online variety shows. Tencent Video's "Roast" Season 5 and Youku's "Street Dance of China 4" have both sparked controversy due to betel nut advertisements.

**Betel nut is a Group 1 carcinogen and can cause oral cancer**

Betel nut is a warm, humid, and heat-type positive plant. The countries with the highest betel nut consumption are concentrated in Southeast Asia. In China, people who enjoy chewing betel nut are mostly in Hunan and Hainan.

In 2003, the World Health Organization classified betel nut as a Group 1 carcinogen.

In 2014, the International Journal of Stomatology published an article titled "Carcinogenic Substances in Betel Nut and Oral Cancer." In the article, two doctors from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University analyzed that betel nut is a Group 1 carcinogen.

Oral cancer caused by chewing betel nut is due to the cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties of arecoline (ARC), betel nut tannins, betel nut-specific nitrosamines (ASNA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) found in betel nut.

According to The Paper's analysis, **the China Food and Drug Administration included betel nut fruit in the list of Group 1 carcinogens when it released the carcinogen list in 2017.**

On February 16, 2019, the National Health Commission issued the Healthy Oral Action Plan (2019-2025), which states that for the popularization of oral health behaviors, intervention for high-risk oral disease behaviors should be implemented.

In areas where betel nut chewing is customary, targeted publicity, education, and oral health checks should be conducted, focusing on the harm of long-term betel nut chewing to oral health, to promote early diagnosis and treatment of periodontal and oral mucosal diseases.

**The addictiveness of betel nut has also been recognized in some countries.**

On August 12, 2021, the Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul issued a reminder: **Do not bring betel nut into Turkey.** The notice stated that recently, several Chinese citizens, including compatriots from Taiwan, were arrested for carrying betel nut when entering Turkey on different flights.

According to Turkish law, arecoline, a component of betel nut, is considered a drug due to its hallucinogenic properties. The cases are currently under trial. The consulate solemnly reminds Chinese compatriots not to bring betel nut into Turkey to avoid violating local laws and ending up in prison.

**Hunan Betel Nut Food Industry Association had already required a halt to betel nut advertisements two years ago**

"Betel nut with cigarettes, boundless magic." In Hunan and other places, chewing betel nut has become a common practice. On March 10, 2019, Ding Xiaobing, a National People's Congress representative from Hunan, discussed Hunan's betel nut industry in an interview with China News Service.

Ding Xiaobing said that betel nut is like smoking; people know it is harmful to health, but many cannot quit. It should be viewed rationally, and betel nut products should have clear labeling.

The Paper reported in 2019 on the phenomenon of betel nut consumption in Hunan.

In the video, Jian Xinchun, chief physician of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, mentioned, "In 1984, two children (young people) came to the hospital. They said that after chewing betel nut for more than a year, they couldn't open their mouths. When we first examined them, we saw scars in their mouths." Experts pointed out in interviews with The Paper that **there is a significant association between oral cancer and betel nut.**

**How widespread are betel nut advertisements?**

Promotional material for the variety show "Street Dance of China 4." Source: @Kouwei Wang Betel Nut Official Weibo

The Paper noted that the recently popular variety show "Street Dance of China 4" sparked controversy due to its betel nut advertisements. In the show, contestants danced while holding up "Kouwei Wang" betel nut products for promotion. The subtitles in the advertisement reminded, "Although betel nut refreshes, don't chew too much."

@Kouwei Wang Betel Nut also promoted on its official Weibo, saying, "How can dancing, such a joyful thing, be paused by fatigue? Have a pack of Kouwei Wang for a quick refresh."

According to a report by China Market Regulation News, Kouwei Wang betel nut had been the exclusive title sponsor of Hunan Satellite TV's Spring Festival Gala for three consecutive years (2017-2019), and the online exclusive title sponsor of "Happy Comedian Season 5." It also appeared in the movie "Ghost Blows Out the Light" through exclusive product placement and special support, and conducted advertising campaigns in subways, bus stops, elevators, and stairwells.

Tencent Video's "Roast" Season 5 also promoted betel nut brands. The Paper noted that the official Weibo of "Roast" posted an advertisement on January 27, saying, "Welcome the spiritual particles from #Roast Alliance# Xiangtan Puzi Wolfberry Betel Nut. With wolfberry, your roasting ability can increase a hundredfold. Let the roasting come even more fiercely!"

Red Net reported in 2020 that the cooperation between the wolfberry betel nut brand and "Roast 5" was another strong alliance between the company and Tencent, following this year's "Deyun Comedy Club," providing another excellent example of cross-industry marketing.

However, behind the overwhelming betel nut advertisements, there are also rational voices.

The Hunan Betel Nut Food Industry Association issued a "Notice on Stopping Advertising" in March 2019, requiring all betel nut enterprises in Hunan Province to stop all domestic advertising and promotion from that day forward. The media platforms to stop advertising on include but are not limited to newspapers, radio, television, highways, airports, railway trains, subways, buses, online platforms, electronic screens, store signs, cinemas, and taxi tops.

China Market Regulation News later published a commentary article stating that protecting the oral health and safety of the people and reducing the probability of oral cancer caused by betel nut chewing cannot stop at the industry association's call to halt betel nut advertisements.

It is necessary to regulate betel nut advertisements in the same way as tobacco advertisements, and to stop all forms of betel nut advertisements nationwide. Health authorities should strengthen publicity to enhance people's awareness of the dangers of betel nut chewing and guide people to abandon the unhealthy habit of chewing betel nut.

In the absence of a ban on the production and sale of betel nut, it is necessary to require producers and sellers to set up conspicuous warning labels on packaging and at points of sale to remind consumers of the potential risks of chewing betel nut.

**According to public data reported by People's Daily Online, in 2020, the scale of the entire betel nut industry chain nationwide exceeded 70 billion yuan, and the scale of Hunan Province's betel nut food industry exceeded 40 billion yuan.**

**What impact will this have on the betel nut industry?**

# The National Radio and Television Administration issued a notice to stop promoting and selling betel nut and its products through radio, television, and online audiovisual programs. What impact will this have on the betel nut industry?

Good, I support it. If we don't restrict the current savage expansion of betel nut nationwide, the large-scale incidence of oral cancer in the future will cost the national medical insurance pool. Betel nut is not taxed like cigarettes; the money all goes into the pockets of those people.

Interestingly, the NRTA directly mentioned the responsibility system for ideological work and the requirement that advertising and publicity adhere to proper guidance.

That's right. Don't argue with them about pathology. Interest groups will find many experts to whitewash it, such as the old rhetoric that "carcinogenic arecoline accounts for only 0.5% and poses no direct threat to the human body." Just talk about ideology and guidance. That positioning is high enough; let's see how they question it.

Betel nut is classified as a drug in Turkey, Canada, Australia, and other countries, but in our country, it can be promoted on variety shows, buses, and subways under the banner of health, wellness, and refreshing. This is already absurd.

Betel nut has been included in "The Book of Poisons." It is carcinogenic, addictive, not cheap, and highly profitable, perfectly fitting the profile of a low-toxicity drug. Anything that stimulates the spirit and refreshes is addictive and can cause physical dependence, just with varying degrees.

Of course, some people want to drag cigarettes into the same boat. Everyone knows smoking is harmful to health, but many people don't know that betel nut physically damages the oral cavity. Chewing betel nut destroys the oral mucosa very noticeably and quickly. If you eat a lot of betel nut, your mouth won't open within 3-5 years.

The state has laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors, but no one regulates betel nut. Now, betel nut disguised as small snacks is sold at small shops outside primary and secondary schools. Children chewing betel nut is not new; it's really making dirty money.

**What's worse, they not only don't print warnings about health hazards, but they add wolfberry to betel nut and label it as a health product.**

Interested parties are conducting packaging and promotion to make betel nut appear harmless or even healthful. Betel nut is even deliberately taking the route of "rural areas surrounding cities." In various townships, betel nut is terrifyingly abundant in small shops and convenience stores, advancing under the banner of health.

Also, betel nut has a smell that hits the brain. Chewing betel nut leaves residue, and chewers subconsciously spit it out everywhere, in all kinds of places.

An extreme example is some internet cafes in Hunan, where betel nut residue is everywhere, in keyboard crevices and on screens, disgusting. Some people say secondhand smoke is disgusting, but isn't spitting fresh betel nut residue on the street as disgusting as a murder scene?

Moreover, don't say it has nothing to do with ordinary people. Betel nut profits go to capitalists, but large-scale diseases cost the medical insurance pool. Companies make the money, and all of Hunan bears the consequences. "Smokers are the benefactors of the country." At least adjust the tax rate so that betel nut chewers can also become benefactors of the country.

Betel nut is extremely profitable. It is estimated that interest groups will still resist stubbornly. The NRTA is not specifically in charge of this; next, other relevant departments should take action.

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