tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424215506456741336.post3219189659181727935..comments2012-09-25T09:33:07.868+01:00Comments on An Irish Consumerist: Time to dump junk food advertising aimed at childrenirishconsumeristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07753208343393093280noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424215506456741336.post-20570951474603896092008-04-13T20:35:00.000+01:002008-04-13T20:35:00.000+01:00Your position as the Chairman of the Consumers Ass...Your position as the Chairman of the Consumers Association of Ireland is clearly reflected throughout your post on this issue of junk food ads for children in the authority that you seem to have over the issue and the depth of knowledge that you display in the field. This is an issue that I wish was discussed more often in the United States and that actions such as these would be implemented as well because childhood obesity should be a concern of parents and the companies who are providing these foods on the market. Others have suggested that ads that are promoting junk foods and that are aimed at children should be banned from television and I believe that your suggestion to ban all junk food ads before 9pm is an equally valid proposal. Ideally companies would stop production on these products that are so high in fats, salts and sugars, but being that these products bring in high revenues for their respective companies and when eaten in moderation they don’t pose any severe health risk, it is improbable that it would be a legitimate suggestion for them to stop producing them. Getting rid of all junk food ads, at any time of the day, would be my suggestion because even after 9pm children can still see these ads, and not only are children at stake but adults too and these ads can promote bad health in households as a whole. I agree with your argument that parents play a role in childhood obesity because they have the majority of the buying power when it comes to the foods in their home and because of this power they should actively use it to provide foods that promote healthy lifestyles and not give in to what their children request to eat because children at a young age don’t have the ability to distinguish between healthy food and junk food. For parents, the health of their families should be a top priority and as you say, for the government the health of their people should take priority over profits made by big companies. This is an issue that is of concern especially to me because I plan to have a career in the field of advertising and getting myself involved in the issues of this market before starting my career has given me a bigger picture of the ethics of advertising and I look forward to returning to your blog in hopes of reading more on this topic.A.R.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10392977791277945028noreply@blogger.com