Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

No fault with fluoride quiz answers

No fault with fluoride quiz answers


The Advertising Standards Authority has found no fault with the answers to the fluoride quizzes run earlier this year. The Authority has simply ruled that, because FANNZ is an advocacy organization, it needed to identify whether the answers were established fact or only FANNZ’ opinion.

The Authority said that simply stating on the quizzes that FANNZ is an advocacy organization might have been sufficient.

In fact, most of the answers are established, or generally accepted, fact. The remaining four are all supported by current evidence-based science, although opposing advocacy groups might consider other answers to be correct. Of course extremists such as the complainant’s group refuse to accept anything against fluoridation as a religious/political posturing, no matter how settled the science is.

On many points the complainant accepted that the answer was correct, but simply argued about how the public would react to these facts. As an example of the extremism of the complaints the complainant says that “the claim that tooth decay is primarily caused by poor diet is … alarmist”.

In a recent online debate international fluoridation expert Dr Paul Connett, who recently visited NZ, fully discredited this groups’ claims, which they could not support with credible science. Neither would any bona fide fluoridation-promoting organization support their claims in an open public scientific forum held in Wellington in March.

Even in the High Court, Justice Hansen recently stated “with all the evidence against fluoridation it is a wonder anyone still supports it”.

The evidence for and against fluoridation will be presented to the Kapiti Coast District Council at a special tribunal-style hearing on fluoridation on 21 May.

Ends

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

Wellington.Scoop: Climate Change Activists Block Access To MBIE In Stout Street

Extinction Rebellion has been blocking the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on Stout Street in Wellington since this morning. MBIE is New Zealand’s ministry for oil, gas and minerals. The blockade is the first of 60 disruptive events planned by Extinction Rebellion in cities around the world.

Six people were attached with metal pipes to a pink car at the Lambton Quay end of Stout Street. The car’s wheels have been removed to make it immovable. More>>

 

‘Hard Place To Be Happy’: Report On Youth Residential Care

Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft says the report, A Hard Place to be Happy, contains important challenges from children and young people, aged 9 to 17, about their experiences in care and protection residences. “I found this report extremely difficult to read, and I think most New Zealanders would too.” More>>

Africa And Middle East Refugees: 'Family Link' Restriction Removed

The founder of the Double the Quota campaign has applauded the coalition government for Friday’s announcement that a discriminatory policy would be removed. More>>

ALSO:

Up To One Million People In Lower North Island: Tū Ora Compass Over Data Breach

The Ministry of Health has been working closely with Tū Ora Compass Health Primary Health Organisation (PHO) following confirmation of illegal cyber access to its computer system. More>>

ALSO:

Gordon Campbell: On Interest Rate Fiddling (And British Apologies)

In the 1990s, the awesome powers of central bankers would cause markets to tremble before them, and read significance into their every utterance, tonal shift and arch of eyebrow. More>>

Cook Voyage: UK Govt's Expression Of Regret To Gisborne Iwi

Gisborne iwi say the unprecedented expression of regret by the British government for the harm caused when James Cook arrived in New Zealand in 1769 opens a new chapter in their history. More>>

ALSO:

Police: Wellington Railway Station Re-Opened After Threat

The location was found to be safe and we would like to thank members of the public for their patience. More>>

ALSO:

Gordon Campbell: Could A Kiwi Boris Suspend Parliament?

Two experts cited by the Herald both seem to agree that our courts couldn’t reach such a decision here, because our laws would expressly rule it out. If they’re right, we’re in trouble. More>>

New Discounts, App: Upgrade For SuperGold Card

New Zealand’s over 65s now have easier ways to find SuperGold discounts and more places to use their card, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Minister for Seniors Tracey Martin announced today. More>>

Protest: Defence Industry Forum Canned

The association chairperson, Andrew Ford, said the reasons for this year's cancellation includes wanting to protect delegates from aggressive protesters, the cost of the forum and the success they have had with smaller, more targeted forums. More>>

ALSO:

 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels