Monday 12th January 2004

Assn of London Govt Rapped for Advert

24,000 a year die from pollution - we don't think so

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One PHer scored a minor victory against misinformation recently with a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about an advert placed by Ken Livingstone's "Association of London Government".

The adverts on London buses and petrol pumps explained a tightening of vehicle emissions testing. The ad showed a drawing of cars with cigarettes in place of exhaust pipes and said "SMOKING KILLS" followed by "24,000 a year die from pollution ".

Andrew Bent wrote to the Advertising Standards Authority and they upheld his complaint that the information was innaccurate in its implication that 24,000 deaths a year are caused by car fumes. In addition they considered on their own initiative whether the explicit statement that 24,000 people a year die from pollution was acceptable, and concluded that it wasn't and should not be repeated.

Link : Adjudication

[DustyC]

Well done to that PHer.
Now try to make them admit they are wrong on the Scamera figures.

[v8thunder]

Surely they included their own part in this:
A London bus with a brace of huge cuban cigars protruding from the rear?

[britten_mark]

Buses, I fu**ing ask you.
You should see the ageing piles of crap the education authority hire out for the school transport around here; theres so much smoke belching from them you have to check twice to make sure they are not on fire. Nice to know how central and local government prioritize transport for our children.

Mark

[qwicksylva]

Ah but Mark, that's probably eco-friendly bus smoke blocking up the hole in the ozone layer and therefore doesn't count. Anyway buses don't speed. Much.