[mgj-discuss] Press Release: An Open Letter to New Zealand's Prime Minister

[MSRB_ADMIN]

Hidden From the Unsuspecting Visitors: The Dangers of Exposure to Excessive
UV Radiation in New Zealand

 
PM Helen Clark 

The Management School of Restorative Business (MSRB) notes with growing
concern a new advertising campaign for New Zealand tourism broadcast through
the cable TV networks throughout South East Asia under the Orwellian rubric
of "Pure NZ!" 

Unfortunately, the ads fail to carry the vital health warning:

1. Non-melanoma skin cancer. One in 29 people in New Zealand is diagnosed
with skin cancer each year. New Zealand is the second worst hotspot for skin
cancer in the world. 

2. Melanoma. The potentially fatal melanoma incidence rates in New Zealand
are about 10 times higher than in other countries. At lease two-thirds of
all melanoma cases are directly associated to UV radiation exposure. 

3. Immunodeficiency. Exposure to the excessive UV radiation in New Zealand
impairs human immune system; it causes genetic mutations, increases risk of
diseases from the human immunodeficiency virus HIV- 1, herpes viruses,
malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, dermatitis, and E. coli as well as several
blood diseases. 

4. Cataracts. The exposure to excessive UV radiation in New Zealand results
in increased incidents of cataracts (as well as other eye damage).  

NZ authorities are acting irresponsibly and reprehensibly by preying on
unsuspecting foreign tourists, students and new immigrants, while failing to
inform them about the dangers of exposure to the excessive UV radiation in
New Zealand. 

MSRB anticipates that NZ Parliament would enact legislation 

1. Mandating detailed health warnings concerning the dangers of exposure to
the excessive UV radiation in New Zealand on all advertising, including
radio, television and Internet, prepared by or broadcast for govt. agencies
especially NZ Ministry of Tourism, NZ Ministry of Education and NZ
Immigration Services as well as the tourist industry forthwith. 

2. Allocating a substantial fund for compensating the foreign visitors,
students and recent immigrants whom NZ authorities failed to warn about the
dangers of exposure to the excessive UV radiation in New Zealand. 

Signed for MSRB by 

Harry Saloor 
Founder 
The Management School of 
Restorative Business (MSRB) 
www.restorative-business.org