London’s mayor unveils advertising campaign to highlight air quality issues

As the launch of the T-charge soon approaches, the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has unveiled an advertising campaign to underline the harm the capital’s filthy air can do to health.

The adverts feature images of everyday objects, including a coffee cup and a baby’s bottle, that appear to be covered in pollution with the heading: “If you could see London’s air, you’d want to clean it too”.

The campaign will appear on social media as of today, 18 October, and on posters across the TfL network from 3 November.

The images highlight the £10 Emissions Surcharge, also known as the T Charge, which is due to come into effect as of Monday, 23 October.

It aims to help remove older polluting vehicles from central London.

Khan said: “London’s air is a killer and is linked to asthma, strokes, heart disease and dementia. I’m committed to doing all I can to cut pollution and help Londoners protect themselves from the harm it causes.

“These arresting images are designed to show Londoners how serious a threat air pollution is to their health, and explain the range of measures I’ve brought in and am working to introduce to make our air safer.

“The next stage will be the introduction of the £10 T-charge on Monday, which will help remove the oldest, most polluting vehicles from the heart of the capital.

“I refuse to be a mayor who ignores this and I am determined to take effective action to reduce the harm it does to Londoners.”