On September 17, the State Administration of Radio and Television issued the "Notice of the General Office of the State Administration of Radio and Television on Stopping the Use of Radio, TV and Online Audiovisual Programs to Promote and Sell Betel Nut and its Products", and decided to stop the use of radio, television and online audiovisual programs for publicity from now on Promote betel nut and its products.

　　In fact, people have long recognized the hazards of betel nut. In 2003, the World Health Organization listed betel nut as a first-level carcinogen (identified carcinogen for humans). Medical research over the years has shown that chewing betel nut can cause oral cancer. In some provinces where betel nut is endemic, the incidence of oral cancer is much higher than the average.

　　In August this year, the Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul issued a reminder: According to Turkish law, the arecoline contained in betel nut is considered as a drug due to its hallucinogenic properties. Do not bring betel nut into Turkey.

　　Why is the obvious harm of betel nut not paid attention to by its consumer groups?

Betel nut advertisements, which had not been banned before this, helped to fuel the flames.

　　The Hunan Betel Nut Food Industry Association issued a notice in 2019 requiring all betel nut companies in Hunan Province to stop all domestic advertising.

However, the constraints from industry associations do not seem to be effective. In the past two years, betel nut ads have also moved from radio and television to popular online variety shows, such as the fifth season of Tencent Video’s "Tucao Conference" and Youku’s "This!

Even Street Dance 4 has caused controversy over the betel nut advertisement.

　Betel nut is a first-level carcinogen that can cause oral cancer

　　Betel nut is a positive plant for temperature, humidity and heat. The countries that eat betel nut most in the world are concentrated in Southeast Asia.

In my country, most people who like to eat betel nut are in Hunan and Hainan.

　　In 2003, the World Health Organization listed betel nut as a first-level carcinogen.

In 2014, "International Journal of Stomatology" published an article "Betel nut carcinogens and oral cancer". In the article, two doctors of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, analyzed that betel nut is a first-degree carcinogen, and chewing betel nut caused oral cancer. The arecoline (ARC), betel nut tannins, betel nut-specific nitrosamines (ASNA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in betel nut have cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity.

　　The paper combed and found that when the State Food and Drug Administration announced the list of carcinogens in 2017, betel nut fruit was listed as a first-level carcinogen.

On February 16, 2019, the National Health Commission issued a Healthy Oral Action Plan (2019-2025). The plan pointed out that for the popularization of oral health behaviors, high-risk oral disease behavior interventions should be implemented.

In areas with the habit of chewing betel nuts, focusing on the hazards of long-term betel nut chewing on oral health, targeted publicity and education and oral health inspections are carried out to promote early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as periodontal and oral mucosal diseases.

　　The addictive nature of betel nut is also valued in some countries.

　　On August 12, 2021, the Chinese Consulate General in Istanbul issued a notice: Do not bring betel nuts into Turkey.

The article stated that recently, many Chinese citizens, including compatriots from Taiwan, were arrested for carrying betel nuts when they entered Turkey on different flights.

According to Turkish law, the arecoline contained in betel nut is considered a drug due to its hallucinogenic properties.

The relevant case is under trial.

Our museum solemnly reminds Chinese compatriots not to bring betel nuts into Turkey, so as not to be imprisoned in violation of local laws.

　　Hunan Betel Nut Food Industry Association requested to stop betel nut advertising two years ago

　　"Adding betel nut to smoke has boundless mana." Eating betel nut in Hunan and other places seems to be a trend.

On March 10, 2019, Ding Xiaobing, a representative of the National People's Congress from Hunan, talked about the betel nut industry in Hunan in an interview with Chinanews.com.

Ding Xiaobing said that betel nut is like smoking, knowing that it is harmful to health, many people still can't give up. It should be treated rationally. In addition, betel nut products should be clearly labeled.

　　The Paper reported on the phenomenon of eating betel nuts in Hunan in 2019.

In the video, Jian Xinchun, the chief physician of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, mentioned, "In 1984, two children (young people) came to the hospital for treatment. They said that after chewing betel nuts for more than a year, their mouths opened. Don’t open it. At first I saw this disease, and I saw marks on the inside of my mouth.” The expert pointed out in an interview with The Paper that oral cancer and betel nut are very importantly related.

　　How rampant are areca advertising?

The variety show "This is Street Dance 4" promoted.

Source: Official Weibo of @味王奔爪

　　The Paper noted that the recently hit variety show "This!

It's Street Dance 4" caused controversy due to its betel nut advertisement.

In the program, the contestants took out the "Taste King Betel Nut" product to promote while dancing. The subtitles in the advertisement reminded, "Although betel nut is refreshing, don't chew it."

　　@ 味王陪橘 also promoted on its official Weibo, “How can a happy thing like dancing make you tired press the pause button? Let’s pack the refreshing and fast taste king”.

　　According to a report from the China Market Supervision News, Taste King Pinang has exclusively sponsored the Hunan Satellite TV Spring Festival Gala for 3 consecutive years (2017 to 2019), and the network exclusively titled "Happy Comedian Season 5", with exclusive implantation and special support It appears in the movie "Ghost Blowing the Lamp", and advertising is carried out in subways, bus stations, elevators, corridors, etc.

　　The fifth season of "Tucao Conference" broadcast by Tencent Video also promoted the betel nut brand.

The Paper noticed that the official Weibo of the Tucao Conference posted an advertisement on January 27, saying, "Welcome to the spirit particles from #吐槽者联盟# Xiangtan shop wolfberry betel nut. Having wolfberry can increase the Tucao ability by a hundredfold and make Tucao even more. Be violent!"

　　Red Net once reported in 2020 that the cooperation between the wolfberry betel nut brand and "Tucao Conference 5" is another strong alliance between the company and Tencent's two top-tier industries after this year's "Deyun Douxiaoshe". Cross-industry "out of the circle" marketing provides another wonderful model.

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

　　Hunan Betel Nut Food Industry Association issued the "Notice on Stopping Advertising" in March 2019, requiring all betel nut companies in Hunan Province to stop all domestic advertising and promotion. The media platforms to stop publishing include but are not limited to newspapers, radio stations, and television stations. , Highways, airports, railway trains, subways, buses, network platforms, electronic screens, shop signs, cinemas, taxi roofs, etc.

　　The China Market Supervision News later published a commentary on this issue and believed that protecting the oral health and safety of ordinary people and reducing the probability of oral cancer caused by chewing betel nut should not be limited to the industry association's ban on betel nut advertising.

Betel nut advertisements should be regulated in the same way as tobacco advertisements, and all forms of betel nut advertisements should be stopped nationwide.

The health authority should strengthen publicity, increase people's awareness of the harm caused by betel nut chewing, and guide people to bid farewell to the unhealthy habit of chewing betel nut.

When it is impossible to prohibit the production and sale of betel nuts, it is necessary to require betel nut producers and sellers to set eye-catching warnings on packaging and sales points to remind consumers of the possible risks of chewing betel nuts.

　　According to public reports from People's Daily Online, the scale of the national betel nut industry in 2020 will exceed 70 billion yuan, and the scale of the betel nut food industry in Hunan Province will exceed 40 billion yuan.