Ban on fast food ads, ban or not?
Recently, he is famous. Every now and then you will read news related to Information Minister in mainstream newspapers.
He had decided Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) ceased broadcast of fast food advertisements immediately. His decision made the fast food companies shocked ~ Thursday February 22, 2007: Fast food Companies Shocked with RTM’s Immediate Ban on Advertisements
Well, this was reported later (change tune?) ~ Friday February 23, 2007: RTM Will Ban Fast food Ads If Directed by Cabinet
“I am aware that this issue would have a significant impact on the advertising industry in the country, as the fast food sector contributes revenue by the hundreds of millions of ringgit each year.” *
“At the same time, the people’s health is very important and if not protected, the quality of health will drop and the government has to spend millions of ringgit to tackle the problem,” Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said in a statement to Bernama here Friday.
Not only Information Minister seems changed his tune but Healthy Ministry too.
Saturday February 17, 2007: Government mulls over fast-food ad ban
The Health Ministry is “seriously considering” a ban on fast food advertisements.
Wednesday February 21, 2007: Campaign against fast food
A Health Ministry campaign to educate the public on the ill-effects of fast food is being planned.
Saturday February 24, 2007: Ministry wants to focus on wellness programmes
The Health Ministry is not about to go around checking what Malaysians eat in its efforts to curb unhealthy eating habits – instead, it is focusing on a wellness programme.
A game or to gain popularity?
We know fast food is bad; however, how about the local foods? This is closely related to personal eating habits and living style. It is hard to conclude that ban the fast food advertisement will help Malaysians gain more healthy life. Don’t listen to my words, read this also ~ Hawker fare can be bad too. Do bit homework here; compare the calories in between fast food and local food we used to have daily.
* maybe many will jobless soon?
TechTags Plugin [ Information Minister | Zainuddin Maidin | Radio Televisyen Malaysia | RTM | Health Ministry | fast food | ban ]
February 25th, 2007 at 10:25 am
This won’t stop us from eating…though it may help with the children’s subconscious mind. I was once a victim of commercials - chickadees, twisties and all those yummy junkfood! LOL
February 25th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Junkfood commercials should be reduced broadcast in TV and other media. Ban the fast food commercials, I’m a bit doubt it. Personal diet and living habit more closely related to their health.
February 26th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
I read in The Star Online today “Fast-food ad hype undos healthy lifestyle drive”, quoted:
“There are now fast food outlets along every street and lane. It shows the culture of Malaysians favouring fast food,”
They call it a culture? Blame it on consumer choice? I think the govt plays an important role here. Without their approval, how could they have mushroomed?
Back to the topic, they should create awareness among the nation instead of restricting or banning those ads. It doesnt help a bit because at the end of the day, it’s still the consumers’ choice. It’s their health, so they should be responsible for it and not pointing fingers at others for their mistakes or irresponsibilities.
March 10th, 2007 at 9:11 am
[...] we are arguing need to ban Fast Food Advertisement in TV or not; more than 850 million people on earth do not have enough to eat. Cruel is, they always go to bed [...]