‘Advertising a controlled substance to children is a bad idea and should be stopped’: EHHI

Jul 19th, 2012 | By Environmental Headlines -- CT environmental news | Category: Featured Story, Health

From Nancy Alderman at Environment and Human Health Inc.

Although the franchise pesticide spraying business, “Mosquito Squad,” (http://www.mosquitosquad.com) has taken down their coloring book for toddlers – their cartoon pesticide spraying mascot, “Dred Skeeter,” is all over YouTube — he is at parades, playing with children, playing with small dogs, attending baseball games etc.

Is this “free speech” protected by the constitution – or is this like tobacco’s “Joe Camel” that was banned after it was ruled that advertising tobacco to children was wrong. Advertising a controlled substance to children is a very bad idea — and pesticides are a controlled substance.

Environment and Human Health, Inc. thinks this is very serious and should be stopped. Children cannot assess the benefits or dangers of pesticide uses – and pesticide uses should not be reduced to being promoted by a cartoon character. Pesticides are regulated by the EPA — and in this state by the CT DEEP. It is not a substance to be taken lightly – and certainly should not be put in the same category as Mickey Mouse or Sponge Bob.

The following blue-type websites are all YouTubes of the cartoon pesticide spraying character “Dred Skeeter” and can be accessed by clicking them.

Wow! Yes, let’s turn our kids onto pesticides!