UK Government Ads Link Games With "Early Death"

An anonymous reader writes "The UK government, backed by a bunch of charities that raise funds for research into cancer, heart disease and diabetes, has launched an advertising campaign that links the 'inactive' or passive gaming lifestyle with death and illness. It's part of a bigger 'Change4Life' campaign that has also linked playing games with making children obese. The new ads show a young child playing a PlayStation game, with the caption 'Risk an early DEATH, just do nothing.' To say this has annoyed the UK games industry would be a grave understatement. Trade association ELSPA has already called an urgent meeting with authorities to have the ads pulled, and trade magazine MCV has complained to the country's Advertising Standards Authority as well. As MCV Associate Editor Tim Ingham says in an impassioned opinion piece, 'Change4Life's advertising campaign makes a mockery of everything the industry has achieved in the last decade.'"

Comments

Re:c'mon, too easy

[narcberry]

Your first post may be your last if you play vgs.

Let's play the statistics game.

[palegray.net]

I woke up this morning and brushed my teeth. Simultaneously, three people were killed in an auto accident five miles from my house.

I'm sure the police will be here any time now...

Bullocks.

[Snufu]

I've been playing video games all my life and I'm as healt

politicians

[speedtux]

If computer gaming is dangerous, just imagine how dangerous the life of a politician must be: sitting around all day in meetings, eating bad food, often smoking, etc.

I think we need to outlaw politics and throw into jail anybody who tries to spread it.

Re:Fine, but...

[ottothecow]

anyone else read "Change4Life" and immediately want to play Left4Dead?