Stop CVS Pharmacy's Nagative Body-Image Campaign

To:  CVS Pharmacy

Dear CVS,

I am writing to let you know that I was shocked and dismayed as I watched your CVS photo center advertisement this morning where a woman is photographing herself making faces and scolding gestures and even resorting to appearing with a pig and a sign that says oink, all in order to make her spouse feel badly enough about himself to not eat items in their kitchen.

In a country where thinness is more valuable than intellectual ability, where body dissatisfaction, weight concerns, and unhealthy dieting behaviors are pervasive, such advertisements can contribute to a dangerous preoccupation with controlling one's weight, size and shape. In the US, conservative estimates indicate that 5-10 million females and 1 million males are currently struggling with life-threatening eating disorders. Furthermore, Anorexia, one of the three most prevalent eating disorders, has the highest premature mortality rate of any pshychiatric disorder. Eating disorders are killing people. And, pressures from the media CAN and DO contribute to a culture that encourages dieting and disordered eating.

I created Anorexia Activism after winning my own battle with Anorexia Nervosa. My organization has since created a Media Eyes program to urge companies and advertisers to understand that their messages are harmful to the mental and physical health of the public. We have also created an Anorexia Activism Seal of Approval, thanking companies for responsible advertising.

I have informed other major eating disorder advocacy organizations to be prepared for your negative and harmful advertisement. It is my wish that CVS will adopt responsible policies in their advertising. After all, one would think a pharmacy would be more responsible about public health.

I urge you to discontinue this dangerous advertising campaign immediately and carefully evaluate the offensive messages you are sending with them.

I have alerted all subscribers of Anorexia Activism's online newsletter of your current careless advertising campaign, and I have asked them all to boycott your products and stores until you adopt responsible advertising.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Stop CVS Pharmacy's Nagative Body-Image Campaign Petition to CVS Pharmacy was created by and written by Amy T. Guth.  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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