Guest Blog: Don’t Advertise Poisons to Children

From the Mosquito Squad web site

By Nancy Alderman, president, Environment and Human Health Inc.

Although the franchise pesticide spraying business, “Mosquito Squad,” (http://www.mosquitosquad.com) has taken down its coloring book for toddlers — its 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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW4o7nHBSV0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5ri3LDcvW8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCH88CG5tAg