Campaigner Charlotte Gage says that the outdoor adverts you see on billboards and bus stops should all be removed.
“These ads are in the public space without any consultation about what is shown on them,” she says. “Plus they cause light pollution, and the ads are for things people can’t afford, or don’t need.”
Ms Gage is the network director of UK pressure group Adfree Cities, which wants a complete ban on all outdoor corporate advertising. This would also apply to the sides of buses, and on the London Underground and other rail and metro systems.
If you think this is a fanciful aim, then you might need to think again, as it has already happened in a few places around the world.
I – Word Understanding
Pressure group – a group that tries to influence public policy in the interest of a particular cause.
Fanciful aim – unrealistic goal
II – Have Your Say
1, Which billboard/billboards have caught your attention lately?
Where is it located and what is it all about?
2, How does advertising affect your purchasing decisions?
3, Do you consider billboards and other outdoor ads “sight pollution”? If so, what do you think is better for advertising?
4, Some countries / cities have already banned some forms of outdoor advertising.
Should your country ban outdoor ads as well? Why ban or why not ban?
a, Air travel (banned in Amsterdam)
b, Petrol and diesel-fuelled cars (banned in Amsterdam)
c, Digital screen ads (banned in French city Grenoble)
d, Gambling firms (Bristol, UK)
e, Junk food (Bristol, UK)
f, Alcohol (Bristol, UK)
g, Payday loan (Bristol, UK)
h, Store signs that are too large (Sao Paulo)
