Mums and Dads say no to TV product placement

A major new survey of parents across the North West has shown strong opposition to government proposals to allow product placement of junk food and alcohol in UK-made commercial television programmes.

Responding to a government consultation on plans to allow products to be used in television programmes for marketing purposes, North West wellbeing and health campaign group Our Life organised a poll of 1,000 parents across the region to gauge their views on television advertising and product placement.

The survey showed that 87.5% of respondents agreed that children are aware of advertising on television and a further 88.1% indicated that children often refer to products they have seen on television. 58% of respondents believe that product placement of alcohol products on television should not be allowed and 56% said that junk food product placement should be ruled out. 85% indicated that children often ask for products they have seen on television and 67% feel pressured into buying products that their children have seen on television.

Our Life chief executive Dr Alison Giles said:- “Despite the very short timescale for this consultation and its spanning of the Christmas period, Our Life was able to canvass the opinions and concerns of mums and dads across the North West. We focused our survey on parents as we think the proposals on product placement have greatest impact on children and families.”

Although the government’s proposals wouldn’t include children’s TV, the Our Life survey revealed that 61.5% of respondents say that their children watch programmes not specifically designed for children at least three or four times per week.

“Family entertainment programmes such as X Factor and Coronation Street could end up exposing children to marketing messages from junk food and alcohol companies,” said Dr Giles. “We are particularly concerned about this where it may influence children, but we also believe that product placement of foods and alcohol to the general population is unjustified at a time of unprecedented obesity and alcohol harm rates.

The North West already has major alcohol and food-related health problems and we believe that these proposals represent advertising by the back door of alcohol, gambling and unhealthy foods high in fat, salt and sugar. The proposals will add to the factors that perpetuate the North West’s obesity and alcohol problems and our survey shows that local parents are very concerned about this issue,” claimed Dr Giles.

A copy of Our Life’s survey findings and response to the government’s consultation on product placement is available on request.

So what do our readers think about this?   If you use MSM and other internet sites, this is the normal thing, so why is TV any different?  Email us your views to our newsroom as normal to:- news24@wsouthportreporter.com.

FROSTY THE ‘NO’ MAN

FLEET Management company Masterlease is urging bosses to say ‘no’ to driving in adverse driving conditions or lay out strict guidelines on safety as Britain is gripped by arctic conditions. 

The company, which manages in excess of 60,000 vehicles in the UK, says the first week back after the Christmas break is always a busy time, but with the treacherous driving conditions caused by the heavy snow and freezing temperatures, driving for work can be even more hazardous.

Stopping distances are increased tenfold in the icy conditions, and tyre grip is hugely reduced – particularly when the temperature plummets and the snow freezes over. Weather warnings advise people not to travel unless really necessary, but how does this apply to those who drive for work?  In an economic climate where employees often worry about losing their jobs, staff can feel the pressure to make journeys for work that they would not undertake otherwise.

However, Robert Kingdom at Masterlease believes that this is when employers need to take the initiative:- “It is the responsibility of the employer and HR department to ensure that workers are not taking unnecessary risks. Now, more than ever, with the introduction and enforcement of the Corporate Manslaughter Act, businesses have to take a front-seat when it comes to ensuring the safety of their drivers.  It is important for business owners and HR departments not to put pressure on employees to drive in conditions that they do not feel comfortable with. The Corporate Manslaughter Act reinforces this, and businesses should not be encouraging employees to take risks.”

If driving is possible and necessary for employees, businesses should ensure that drivers are taking the necessary precautions:-

► Take it slow ~ Stopping distances are affected by icy conditions, so drivers need to be extra cautious. Discourage drivers making appointments close together to allow them extra time to travel, this means that they can avoid hurrying in hazardous driving conditions.

► De-ice thoroughly ~ Ensure drivers leave plenty of time to de-ice the vehicle thoroughly before attempting to drive. Clearing snow off vehicles after a heavy snowfall can make de-icing easier the next time the vehicle is needed.

► Emergency supplies ~ Ensure employees have adequate food supplies, clothing and blankets in their vehicle in case they were to be stranded or breakdown. Employees should carry de-icer and a scraper in their vehicle too, as adverse weather can come on quickly.

► Take a break ~ Ensure drivers are given enough time to fit frequent breaks into their journeys as the extra concentration that is required to drive in icy conditions can be more tiring than with normal journeys.