Is it appropriate for young children to see graphic anti-smoking posters? Woolworths customer’s complaint sparks online debate
- Replies 29
A Woolworths customer has come under fire after she aired her concerns over her local store's placement of anti-smoking posters, which she claimed were not "child-appropriate".
Sharing her sentiments on Facebook, the Melbourne shopper raised concerns over the "graphic" advert found at the service desk of her local store, questioning whether the placement of the poster was ethical.
In her argument, the customer said that the supermarket counters are low, so displaying the anti-smoking poster — which featured a photo of a severed foot along with the warning "Smoking causes peripheral vascular disease” — there would mean that children could potentially see the adverts, insisting that the graphic posters may "scar" kids.
“It’s a great idea putting the anti-smoking ads at the child’s-eye view,” she wrote alongside a photo of the setup.
“A gangrenous foot, excellent, it may encourage them to seek out a career in medicine."
“Either that or scar them for life, one of the two.”
The poster featured a photo of a gangrenous foot, along with the words: "Smoking causes peripheral vascular disease”. Credit: Facebook.
Australia is known for its strict laws on tobacco advertising and display. In fact, many of the country's states and territories have their own restrictions and controls that go beyond what is prescribed in the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act of 1992.
For example, in some states, a health warning must be placed near a tobacco price list.
It should also be noted that there are strict policies on the placement of these price lists depending on the state and territory.
Under Victorian legislation, anti-smoking advertisements featuring a black and white health warning must be displayed either at the entrance of the retail store or near the tobacco display.
Keeping this in mind, Facebook users quickly called her out, with one commenter saying that the supermarket was only following protocol on tobacco display and suggesting that it's not dangerous for children to learn about the possible health risks of smoking.
The user explained: “Literally not their problem. It’s the tobacco licensing laws that these signs be placed next to the price board."
“Maybe use it as a way to educate your children.”
Retailers have to follow strict guidelines on tobacco advertising and selling. Credit: Kotak General.
The shopper, however, defended her stance, saying that it was "extreme" for children to see this kind of graphic image.
“If you are correct about the placement, then perhaps the gangrene pic can be put directly above the price list on the countertop,” she argued.
“That way the tobacco purchaser could see it and the child couldn’t."
“And if you think the photo of a gangrenous foot would be educational for children, then with respect, you must have rocks in your head.”
Another user insisted that retailers have to follow strict guidelines on the adverts, saying that it was not the management's fault that the poster was placed on the counter desk.
The user wrote: “Once again. It’s tobacco rules. They HAVE to be in line with the price board."
“If you have an issue with it, you would wanna take it up with tobacco licensing Australia.”
Woolworths has yet to comment on the issue.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it's appropriate to place anti-smoking posters at the service desks or should the government review this policy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Sharing her sentiments on Facebook, the Melbourne shopper raised concerns over the "graphic" advert found at the service desk of her local store, questioning whether the placement of the poster was ethical.
In her argument, the customer said that the supermarket counters are low, so displaying the anti-smoking poster — which featured a photo of a severed foot along with the warning "Smoking causes peripheral vascular disease” — there would mean that children could potentially see the adverts, insisting that the graphic posters may "scar" kids.
“It’s a great idea putting the anti-smoking ads at the child’s-eye view,” she wrote alongside a photo of the setup.
“A gangrenous foot, excellent, it may encourage them to seek out a career in medicine."
“Either that or scar them for life, one of the two.”
The poster featured a photo of a gangrenous foot, along with the words: "Smoking causes peripheral vascular disease”. Credit: Facebook.
Australia is known for its strict laws on tobacco advertising and display. In fact, many of the country's states and territories have their own restrictions and controls that go beyond what is prescribed in the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act of 1992.
For example, in some states, a health warning must be placed near a tobacco price list.
It should also be noted that there are strict policies on the placement of these price lists depending on the state and territory.
Under Victorian legislation, anti-smoking advertisements featuring a black and white health warning must be displayed either at the entrance of the retail store or near the tobacco display.
Keeping this in mind, Facebook users quickly called her out, with one commenter saying that the supermarket was only following protocol on tobacco display and suggesting that it's not dangerous for children to learn about the possible health risks of smoking.
The user explained: “Literally not their problem. It’s the tobacco licensing laws that these signs be placed next to the price board."
“Maybe use it as a way to educate your children.”
Retailers have to follow strict guidelines on tobacco advertising and selling. Credit: Kotak General.
The shopper, however, defended her stance, saying that it was "extreme" for children to see this kind of graphic image.
“If you are correct about the placement, then perhaps the gangrene pic can be put directly above the price list on the countertop,” she argued.
“That way the tobacco purchaser could see it and the child couldn’t."
“And if you think the photo of a gangrenous foot would be educational for children, then with respect, you must have rocks in your head.”
Another user insisted that retailers have to follow strict guidelines on the adverts, saying that it was not the management's fault that the poster was placed on the counter desk.
The user wrote: “Once again. It’s tobacco rules. They HAVE to be in line with the price board."
“If you have an issue with it, you would wanna take it up with tobacco licensing Australia.”
Woolworths has yet to comment on the issue.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think it's appropriate to place anti-smoking posters at the service desks or should the government review this policy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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