The Aromatherapists Society

SECTION8: PUBLICITY AND THE PROMOTION OF A PRACTICE

8.1 Generally

Aromatherapists may publicise their practices, pr permit another person to do so, subject to the provisions of the principles of the British Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion for the time being in force, and to the following provisions.

8.2 Legality

The publicity of an aromatherapist shall comply with the general law, and shall not encourage or condone breaches of the law by others.

8.3 Decency

The publicity of an aromatherapist shall contain nothing nor be in a form nor be published or circulated in any way, which would be likely, in the light of generally prevailing standards of decency and propriety, ether to cause serious or widespread offence or to bring the aromatherapy profession into disrepute.

8.4 Honesty

The publicity of an aromatherapist shall be worded in such a way that it does not abuse the trust of members of the public nor exploit their lack of experience or knowledge, either of matters of health or of aromatherapy services.

8.5 Truthfulness

Publicity of an aromatherapist shall not be misleading or inaccurate in any way.

8.6 Frequency of Publicity

Publicity shall not be generated so frequently or in such a manner as to put those to whom it is directed under pressure to respond.

8.7 Physical details of publicity

The design, size, lettering, colouring, degree of illumination, material, and other physical details of the publicity used by an aromatherapist (for example but not by way of limitation, name plates, signs identifying professional premises, professional stationery, directory entries, professional announcements, and advertising for staff) shall be consistent with a professional approach towards the provision of information to members of the public.

8.8 Identity of an Aromatherapist

The publicity of an aromatherapist shall contain sufficient information to enable the aromatherapist to be contacted.

8.9 Claims to specialisation or expertise

Unless reference to a specialist qualification has been entered on the register held by an association , an aromatherapist shall make no claim that the aromatherapist is a specialist, or an expert in a particular field of aromatherapy. Nevertheless, an aromatherapist may indicate that a practice is wholly or mainly devoted to particular types of treatment.

8.10 Published material and broadcasts

The publicity of aromatherapists may refer to clinical or research material published by them or others in a professional journal, and to their authorship of books and articles relating to professional matters, in either the publicity or the published material or the broadcasts that they should be consulted in preference to any other aromatherapist.

8.11 Interactions with the media

Publicity about an aromatherapist or a practice which arises through, or from interviews with representatives of the media, and which may be regarded as likely to bring the profession into disrepute, should be avoided. An aromatherapist should wherever possible request access to the article, statement or interview before publication or broadcast in an attempt to ensure that it does not contravene the provisions of the Code.

8.12 Claims to superiority

No claim shall be made by an aromatherapist that the services that they are able to offer, or their personal qualities or skills, are in any way superior to that of any other.

8.13 Criticism of services or charges

No publicity may, in relation to any other aromatherapist or other health professional, whether identifiable or not, criticise the quality or cost of services provided.

8.14 Guarantees of successful treatment

No publicity shall employ any words, phrases or illustrations which suggest a guarantee that any condition will be cured.

8.15 Statements relating to fees

Any publicity relating to fees shall be clearly expressed. In particular, an aromatherapist shall state what services will be provided for each fee.

8.16 Personal approaches

Aromatherapists shall not publicise their services by making any unsolicited and direct approach to a private individual who is not a client/patient, whether in person, or by mail, telephone, facsimile or other form of communication. Aromatherapists may approach representatives of organisations such as firms, companies, schools, clubs or other health professionals to publicise their services.

No publicity shall employ any words, phrases or illustrations that suggest a guarantee that any condition will be cured.

8.17 Business names

Aromatherapists shall not use a name for a practice that may be misleading or cause confusion with similar names for the practices of other health professionals.

8.18 Personal names

Aromatherapists shall not practise under any family or given names other than those, which are entered on the register of The Aromatherapists Society or held by another aromatherapy association.