Wood burning stoves: “Cosy killer” warning advert is banned by watchdog

bmj;393/jun05_2/e959483/VS1F1vs1Credit: ASAAn advertisement warning the public about the dangers of wood burning stoves has been banned for “misleadingly” implying that they increase pollution.Run by Brighton and Hove City Council, the poster featured a stove emitting a plume of smoke in the shape of an adult and child.The poster stated, “Harmful particle pollution near four city primary schools was 78% higher last winter than last summer,” with text below featuring the phrase, “Wood burners and open fires . . . the cosy killer.”But the advert (pictured) has now been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). It ruled that the advert was misleading because it implied that wood burning stoves and open fires were causing this increase in pollution without providing evidence to substantiate the claim.The ruling has dismayed public health experts and campaigners, who fear that it will have a “cooling effect” on other local authorities and will put them...