NYC Health Dept unveils provocative new ad campaign targeting sugary drinks: 'Your kids could be drinking themselves sick'
The provocative new ads allege that “sugary drinks can bring on obesity, which can lead to diabetes and risk factors for heart disease”, and feature the strapline: ‘Your kids could be drinking themselves sick.’
The ads - which encourage New Yorkers to replace sugary drinks with water, seltzer, unsweetened teas, fat-free milk and fresh fruit - will run on TV for the next three weeks, and in subway cars through January, and form part of the Pouring on the Pounds campaign.
“Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and in New York City and it has, in turn, fueled the diabetes epidemic,” said Dr. Thomas Farley, Health Commissioner.
“Over 50% of adults with diabetes who receive medical care have high blood sugar levels, increasing their risk for serious complications such as amputation, kidney failure and blindness. Maintaining a healthy diet is one critical component to controlling blood sugar levels and possibly preventing these complications.”
A spokesman for the American Beverage Association was not impressed by the approach, however, telling FoodNavigator-USA: "Here they go again. It's time for the NYC health department to stop misleading New Yorkers and start focusing on real solutions to obesity."
