Issue summaries:
Negative ad campaigns

What is meant by negative ad campaigns?

Billboards and television, radio and newspaper ads are increasingly being used to "fight the war on obesity." The problem? Often the messages are simplistic: Restaurants are to blame. Even worse? Many, though not all, of these campaigns are funded with taxpayer dollars.

How would this affect restaurants?

These ad campaigns portray all restaurants (not just quick service chains) as the bad guys, overlooking the fact that healthy food options can be found in virtually everywhere these days. They unfairly single out restaurants to take the blame for health problems related to overweight and obesity.

Where does WRA stand on this issue?

WRA strongly opposes using taxpayer dollars to blame a single industry for the much larger problem of obesity. WRA strongly supports the idea of positive, educational campaigns, such as ads that encouraging caloric balance through moderate eating and physical activity.

Example:

West Virginia's state insurance agency posted billboards depicting hamburgers, steak and French fries as leading to obesity.