Advertisment
The advertising which was part advertorial referred to the following:
The advertorial which appeared under the Mental Health Awareness section of the newspapers referred to the following:
“Overcoming stress with The Spiral of Tranquillity
Geopathic stress is the stress imposed on the human or animal body by periods of continuous exposure to unnatural radiation from either manmade or natural sources.
Manmade sources include emissions from high voltage power lines, transmission masts, microwave ovens, computers, office/manufacturing equipment and also mobile and cordless phones.
In nature, geopathic stress occurs when there is a disruption in the natural energy flow. For example, when a building is constructed directly over underground water streams or natural earth magnetic (ley) lines, the natural energy vibration from these sources is then changed, which can be damaging to health after a period of exposure.
The overall result of both manmade and natural geopathic stress is a lowering of the immune system, thereby reducing our ability to fight off viruses, bacteria or disease – especially important is where we spend a lot of time, e.g., where people work or sleep.
Dr Michael Poynder, pioneer of geopathic and personal stress studies, stated “Geopathic stress may manifest in physical symptoms such as reduced vitality, chronic sleep disturbances, high states of anxiety, aggression or hyperactivity. Sleeping over underground water flows, particularly when it contains iron, is a major cause of ME, and sleeping over disrupted magnetic lines is a major cause of MS. In both conditions the human immune system is gradually depleted: the result being cancer.
The Spiral of Tranquillity product range was designed to protect health and neutralise these disruptive energies, the result of more than 20 years research.
For further details contact Kieron O’Kelly, specialist in geopathic stress, 086… …, info @lessstress.ie”
Advertising:
“No Energy? Sleeping Difficulties? Anxiety? Repeated Illnesses? Geopathic Stress Could be the Cause!
Geopathic Stress is caused by HARMFUL RADIATION from the earth and manmade sources. These include underground water, key lines, high voltage power lines & transmission masts, which can attack our immune system, allowing illness to manifest.
The Spiral of Tranquillity products have been ALLEVIATING GEOPATHIC STRESS in the home and workplace, for over 10 years.
For further information on Geopathic Stress contact us on:
Tel: 091 … …
Email: info@…
Visit: www.lessstress.ie”
To the left of the contact details the following information was provided:
“Endorsed by Leslie Kenton, International Health Guru & Author of “Passage of Power”
The footnote provided the following information:
“Spiral of Tranquillity TM products have been tested by independent research laboratories including the Coghill Research Laboratories, UK.”
Complaint
The complainant said that he was concerned that the advertising had appeared in the Mental Health Awareness section of the newspaper. He queried the reference to “Geopathic Stress” as it was his opinion that there was no such thing and no scientific basis or evidence to support the claim that it existed.
Response
In providing background and technical information in relation to “Geopathic Stress” the advertisers said that originally, prior to mankind’s recent scientific developments, the planet’s natural magnetic lines formed a fine global network of geometrically shaped star patterns. At some time in the past, undoubtedly due to the activities and inventions of mankind, the balance of these patterns were disturbed, resulting in the network disintegrating to form chaotic patterns over large areas of the earth’s surface, which created discord in the environment. They said that in remote areas of the globe i.e. deserts and oceans, parts of the original network still existed, enlightening people to the true original nature of these natural Energy patterns which once surrounded them. The planet they said was a water planet, without which life could not exist. Water permeating the environment was the same, they said, as blood in peoples’ veins, the vital element that was essential for growth and survival. Water carried with it energy in the form of magnetism. It also contained trace elements, picked up on its journey through rocks and the surrounding countryside. It therefore had unique properties in transmitting information about planet earth. Pure water contained no trace elements and therefore carried no information. This made it totally diamagnetic with a negative polarity. Thus, water that carried information was para-magnetic with a positive polarity. Microwave transmissions and associated transients from aerial relay masts and high voltage power cables also destabilised natural underground water – the most valuable resource upon which our health depends.
The advertisers went on to describe how researchers had come up with the Spiral of Tranquillity range of products using natural gemstones, which had been scientifically selected for their frequencies, chemical composition and magnetic properties to rebalance all disruptions found in the modern home and workplace caused by geopathic stress. These products were shown on their website. The advertisers also provided articles which had been written on the topic along with samples of testimonials from people who had used the Spiral of Tranquillity Range of Products.
Further Information:
The Secretariat informed the advertiser that his response and attached articles did not constitute substantiation for the claims made in his advertising and gave him the opportunity to forward the appropriate substantiation. The advertiser then provided a range of other material.
Conclusion
Complaint Upheld.
The Complaints Committee considered the detail of the complaint and the advertisers’ response. They noted that the advertiser had not provided relevant substantiation for the claims made in his advertising. They also noted that there was no proof of a cause and effect relationship between the advertising claims and the evidence submitted. They reminded the advertiser that there was an onus on all advertisers to demonstrate that their advertising was in conformity with Code.
In the absence of relevant substantiation the Complaints Committee upheld the complaint under Sections 2.9, 2.22 and 2.24.
Action Required:
Unless the advertiser can provide the relevant substantiation, the advertising must not run in its current form again.
