(1) In 1995, the American Academy of Pediatrics declared that "advertising directed at children is inherently deceptive
and exploits children under eight years of age." (2) The academy did not recommend a ban on such advertising
because it seemed impractical and would infringe upon advertisers' freedom of speech. (3) Today the health risks faced
by the nation's children far outweigh the needs of its mass marketers. (4) Congress should immediately ban all
advertisements aimed at children that promote foods high in fat and sugar. (5) Thirty years ago Congress banned
cigarette ads from radio and television as a public health measure-and those ads were directed at adults. (6) Smoking
has declined ever since. (7) A ban on advertising unhealthy foods to children would discourage eating habits that are
not only hard to break, but potentially life-threatening. (8) Moreover, such a ban would encourage the fast-food chains
to alter the recipes for their children's meals. (9) Greatly reducing the fat content of McDonald's Happy Meals, for
example, could have an immediate effect on the diet of the nation's kids. (10) Every month more than 90 percent of the
children in the United States eat at McDonald's.
F8. Click on the logical inference.
a. The author suggests that children's poor eating habits are as serious a health problem as adult's smoking.
b. TV commercials and other ads probably have little effect on children's behaviors.
c. The author believes fast-food chains can be convinced to voluntarily refrain from advertising unhealthy foods for
young children.
