"The Stove Industry Association (SIA), which represents the UK's expanding industry around the burning of wood in domestic settings, wrote to the councils, all London boroughs, in late 2023 complaining that flyers stating wood burners were careless, not cosy were in breach of UK advertising codes."
"The evidence could not be clearer – burning in your home increases toxic air pollution for you and your neighbours. From cardiac and lung issues to cancer and dementia, more than 700 illnesses are now linked to air pollution, and non-essential wood burning is a huge contributor to toxic particle pollution."
"This is straight from the playbook of tobacco. The industry body is talking the health evidence down in order to stop public bodies from informing the public of health dangers."
The Stove Industry Association has sent legal threats to at least eight London councils over public information campaigns warning about the health dangers of wood-burning stoves. Research by the British Medical Journal found that the industry body complained these campaigns violated UK advertising codes, claiming wood burners were being unfairly portrayed. The SIA also lobbied additional councils with claims that wood burning provides health benefits like lowering blood pressure, despite evidence showing wood burning produces carcinogenic byproducts linked to over 700 illnesses including cardiac disease, lung issues, cancer, and dementia. Health advocates compare this industry strategy to tobacco industry tactics, arguing the evidence clearly demonstrates non-essential wood burning significantly contributes to toxic air pollution affecting both users and neighbors.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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