Greenitforward’s Weblog

For those of you out there that still smoke cigarettes, you are keenly aware of bold type font warning label affixed to each pack. After inconclusive evidence proved that cigarettes do cause cancer, the tobacco companies were forced to add this warning to remind smokers the risks involved. Similar type of warning labels are also printed on other products that pose potential health risks. Many toys warn that children may choke on small pieces, or coffee cups that warn consumers of its hot content. These warning labels are to protect the public of their potential hazards. However, are auto manufacturers on track to be the next industry mandated to abide by such strict CSR regulations?

On Marketing Week’s website today, September 20th, Car industry in uproar over cigarette-style ad controls new legislation is being proposed in the European Parliament (EP) which will require future car ads to dedicate 20% of their ads towards communicating the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission levels.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders are obviously not too happy with this proposal stating that, “the automotive sector is already one of the most heavily regulated when it comes to advertising.”

I wonder if warning labels in car ads will actually be effective in persuading a potential buyer into purchasing one car over another based on their emission level? Do you think it would be more effective to concentrate efforts on making the auto industry develop cars that did not harm the environments as much? While the proposal has good intentions, why are they placing the guilt on the consumer, if they want to purchase a less efficient car, than on the manufactuerer who actually produces it?