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vaccinations/health care and product promotions.
paperpudding
Posts: 9,242 Member
in Debate Club
I hope this is allowed here after closing of last Covid vaccine thread.
Interesting to read there of Krispy kremes giving a voucher for free donuts to everyone getting the Covid vaccine (in US)
What do people think of this sort of freebie by companies?
here in Australia I dont think it would go down well - too obvious using of a cause to promote your product under guise of supporting the vaccine program and that sort of advertising linked to health care would be an uneasy match here.
however were KK to take 'soft approach' and donate trays of donuts for people to enjoy while waiting post vaccine or to the medical staff in appreciation - that would probably be accepted.
Indeed they did exactly that during last years lockdown and delivered tray of donuts to hospital and clinic staff rooms - 'in appreciation of your hard work in this difficult time'
note; this thread is not about merit or otherwise of the vaccine or whether people are going to have it.
Interesting to read there of Krispy kremes giving a voucher for free donuts to everyone getting the Covid vaccine (in US)
What do people think of this sort of freebie by companies?
here in Australia I dont think it would go down well - too obvious using of a cause to promote your product under guise of supporting the vaccine program and that sort of advertising linked to health care would be an uneasy match here.
however were KK to take 'soft approach' and donate trays of donuts for people to enjoy while waiting post vaccine or to the medical staff in appreciation - that would probably be accepted.
Indeed they did exactly that during last years lockdown and delivered tray of donuts to hospital and clinic staff rooms - 'in appreciation of your hard work in this difficult time'
note; this thread is not about merit or otherwise of the vaccine or whether people are going to have it.
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I’m kind of torn. At a selfish level I’m thinking “ohhh yeah” because I haven’t had a glazed doughnut in a year and I want one. But this discriminates against those who can’t have a vaccine (allergies / immuno compromised), and given that obesity seems to have a definite link to the seriousness of infection (not saying everyone with COVID is obese but obesity has been linked to the more serous form of the disease), is this kind of promotion a bad idea? But then we get into the nanny state debate and freedom of choice / personal responsibility.
Regardless, I now want a glazed doughnut.7 -
Just a poor marketing stunt.
They are giving a "free" fat/sugar laden item with 0 nutritional value to a nation that now more that ever is struggling with a weight problem to get people in the door.15 -
No one is forcing anyone to go get their single free donut...ever. Doesn't fit your diet? Don't go. Don't like them? Don't go. Think donuts are the Devil? Don't go.
It will probably be a profitable gimmick, like the many other profitable gimmicks they've run over the years, because you really can't have just one glazed donut, once you're in the store to pick it up. Even if it is only just another glazed donut.
/ducks22 -
I actually think it would be MUCH worse if they provided free donuts at the vaccination sites.
With their current promotion, you have to take the initiative to drive to a Krispy Kreme store just to get a free donut. If they had trays of them at the site, it would basically be like shoving it directly into people's faces. Plus, then the people running the site would have to manage other retailers who might want to jump in on some free promotion. It could be perceived as that hospital or provider, or the government, endorsing certain companies.
I have no problem with them doing the promotion in their own stores. People who will make the effort to go there for one free donut are not going to have an impact on the obesity crisis.15 -
I like it purely because it's marketing genius.
How many times in the past week have you thought about Krispy Kreme?
Exactly.
How many times in the week prior to this? Uh huh.
Any publicity is good publicity. Just ask the Kardashians or Chik Fil A.
With that said, I stand by my request for BWW to offer free wings and I don't care what silly marketing they use.12 -
YellowD0gs wrote: »No one is forcing anyone to go get their single free donut...ever. Doesn't fit your diet? Don't go. Don't like them? Don't go. Think donuts are the Devil? Don't go.
It will probably be a profitable gimmick, like the many other profitable gimmicks they've run over the years, because you really can't have just one glazed donut, once you're in the store to pick it up. Even if it is only just another glazed donut.
/ducks
Exactly. If your weight management efforts are doomed to fail because someone offers you a donut, then they're going to fail even without this particular promotion because it's hard to go anywhere without being offered calorie-dense food.
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At this point in the vaccination effort, I come down on the side of "whatever gets more shots into more arms." I'm going to get mine anyway, but if I could then take my vaccine card around town and pick up a free lunch or a snack for my trouble, okay?? Nobody's forcing me to do that, and if I can't spare <200 cal for a donut that I have to drive somewhere else to get, then oh well. I haven't lost out on anything by not getting my free donut.
I also agree that if you think all of your hard work will be derailed because someone told you that you could, again, go somewhere else and get a sugary snack that you don't have to pay for (other than the gas you spend driving from wherever you are to the donut shop), the donut isn't the problem.
It's not discrimination, though, that you're wrong about, @claireychn074. People ineligible for the vaccine are still perfectly able to go purchase Krispy Kreme donuts. If KK were barring the unvaccinated from entering their stores, then yes, that would be discrimination. But this isn't that, any more than Chick-fil-A offering free food to people showing up in cow costumes is discriminating against those who don't have cow costumes.14 -
goal06082021 wrote: »At this point in the vaccination effort, I come down on the side of "whatever gets more shots into more arms." I'm going to get mine anyway, but if I could then take my vaccine card around town and pick up a free lunch or a snack for my trouble, okay?? Nobody's forcing me to do that, and if I can't spare <200 cal for a donut that I have to drive somewhere else to get, then oh well. I haven't lost out on anything by not getting my free donut.
I also agree that if you think all of your hard work will be derailed because someone told you that you could, again, go somewhere else and get a sugary snack that you don't have to pay for (other than the gas you spend driving from wherever you are to the donut shop), the donut isn't the problem.
It's not discrimination, though, that you're wrong about, @claireychn074. People ineligible for the vaccine are still perfectly able to go purchase Krispy Kreme donuts. If KK were barring the unvaccinated from entering their stores, then yes, that would be discrimination. But this isn't that, any more than Chick-fil-A offering free food to people showing up in cow costumes is discriminating against those who don't have cow costumes.
A Krispy Kreme donut costs about .99, so I can't imagine this even popping up on the radar for immune compromised people given everything else they have to deal with in the middle of a pandemic.
I would think most immune compromised people will be thrilled at anything that gets us closer to herd immunity, even if it doesn't get them a free donut.
It's like the blood drive promotions that give people a free sandwich or a chance to win basketball tickets. Yes, it leaves out people who can't donate blood. But we're all better off as a society when there is a robust supply of blood for people who need it, so you don't see people getting angry about the sandwich discrimination.14 -
The problem with the soft approach suggested is food sitting around a vaccination site. I definitely wouldn’t want a donut from a tray sitting out around a bunch of people or at a vaccination site. Did someone sneeze on them? Did that person wash their hands before reaching into the box of donuts? Then how many people are sitting unmasked to chow down their donuts. I’d also like my vaccination site to stay as clean as possible and not have donut glaze all over the place. There would also be the problem that you have plenty of people that don’t partake in open/public food items like this and the other handful that treat it like an all you can eat buffet. Much better approach to say here’s your coupon, you want to collect it that’s on you. Don’t care about the free donut? Don’t take the coupon or toss it.
I know my small office (11 employees) shut down our small coffee bar area and no longer allowed use of the fridge at the beginning of the pandemic/lockdown to avoid people crossing paths or sharing germs. Donuts at a busy vaccination site is a recipe for disaster.
Outside of that, if Krispy Kreme wants to give away free donuts, good for them. If people want to eat free donuts because they got vaccinated, good for them.8 -
Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.15 -
claireychn074 wrote: »I’m kind of torn. At a selfish level I’m thinking “ohhh yeah” because I haven’t had a glazed doughnut in a year and I want one. But this discriminates against those who can’t have a vaccine (allergies / immuno compromised), and given that obesity seems to have a definite link to the seriousness of infection (not saying everyone with COVID is obese but obesity has been linked to the more serous form of the disease), is this kind of promotion a bad idea? But then we get into the nanny state debate and freedom of choice / personal responsibility.
Regardless, I now want a glazed doughnut.
I read the FAQ and you don't actually have to have the vaccine.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO BE VACCINATED, CAN I STILL GET THIS OFFER?
We understand that choosing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is a highly personal decision. We advise all employees and guests to consult with their healthcare provider regarding whether to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and which vaccine to receive after reviewing the available information. If you have made the personal decision to not receive the COVID vaccine, please visit us on Mondays, 3/29/21 – 5/24/21, to receive a free Original Glazed® doughnut and a medium brewed coffee to get your week off to a good start.6 -
YellowD0gs wrote: »Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.
Totally disagree. A $3 or so drink, doughnut etc is not going to do one thing change anyone's mind about getting a vaccine.3 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »YellowD0gs wrote: »Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.
Totally disagree. A $3 or so drink, doughnut etc is not going to do one thing change anyone's mind about getting a vaccine.
It's not just a free donut - it's a free donut EVERY DAY until the end of the year!
I've never had a Krispy Kreme donut tbh - I don't think we have them here. Maybe they are just that good ... ?1 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »YellowD0gs wrote: »Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.
Totally disagree. A $3 or so drink, doughnut etc is not going to do one thing change anyone's mind about getting a vaccine.
It's not just a free donut - it's a free donut EVERY DAY until the end of the year!
I've never had a Krispy Kreme donut tbh - I don't think we have them here. Maybe they are just that good ... ?
They are sickeningly sweet. Even back in the day when I was eating a lot of sugar I thought they were too sweet. Except that one apple-stuffed thingy.
Those are good.
I wouldn't eat a free Krispy Kreme any more frequently than pay for one.
"A" free glazed donut is very cheap advertising and it will probably mean a huge uptick in sales for them.4 -
There was one KK location in my state, but it closed years ago. I'm not driving to another state for a so-so donut.1
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »YellowD0gs wrote: »Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.
Totally disagree. A $3 or so drink, doughnut etc is not going to do one thing change anyone's mind about getting a vaccine.
It's not just a free donut - it's a free donut EVERY DAY until the end of the year!
I've never had a Krispy Kreme donut tbh - I don't think we have them here. Maybe they are just that good ... ?
They are not. Just puffy sugar.2 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »YellowD0gs wrote: »Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.
Totally disagree. A $3 or so drink, doughnut etc is not going to do one thing change anyone's mind about getting a vaccine.
It's not just a free donut - it's a free donut EVERY DAY until the end of the year!
I've never had a Krispy Kreme donut tbh - I don't think we have them here. Maybe they are just that good ... ?
Not missing anything by not having them in your area.. Fried grease and sugar.3 -
There's already public pushback from folks with health credentials, so I guess that's debate, too. One that got it started:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/03/27/krispy-kreme-donuts-ceo-responds-backlash-against-covid-vaccine-promotion/7031938002/
FWIW, Leana Wen, an MD and former Baltimore public health official, seems to have kicked off the viral portion of the debate, on Twitter.Theoldguy1 wrote: »YellowD0gs wrote: »Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.
Totally disagree. A $3 or so drink, doughnut etc is not going to do one thing change anyone's mind about getting a vaccine.
It's not just a free donut - it's a free donut EVERY DAY until the end of the year!
I've never had a Krispy Kreme donut tbh - I don't think we have them here. Maybe they are just that good ... ?
I'm not the best one to opine, because I don't even particularly like donuts. IME, they are unlike many other donuts, however. (I still don't like them.)
They're very light, insubstantial really, super sweet as others have mentioned, very soft and airy, like eating a hyper-sweetened cloud with glazing on the outside. Supposedly, they're best hot off the line, and I don't believe I've had one that way, as far as I can remember. Pretty sure I still wouldn't care for them, because it's not my sort of thing, but they were quite a craze for a while.
I feel like they over-reached themselves (you could buy them in boxes in chain grocery stores for a while at least), and burned out their "these are special" marketing potential too soon, that way. However, while I've had some MBA-level marketing education, I'm not a specialist, and I didn't see the sales data they based decisions on, so what do I know. 🤷♀️
I don't think we even have one of their stores here anymore (mid-sized metro area) - used to. I'm for sure not driving 58 miles to the nearest one for a free sugar cloud; I'd just as soon go to my kitchen and eat white sugar by the spoonful, with a little oil on it, for similar effect. (I won't be doing that either.)2 -
Well if the free donuts are "bad" they are also offering their employees paid time off to get their vaccine - so that is good anyway.
We have Tim Horton's here - there would never be a need to drive for miles to get a free donut there - there is practically one on every corner! But I can't remember the last time I had a donut anyway, not really my thing.2 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »I actually think it would be MUCH worse if they provided free donuts at the vaccination sites.
With their current promotion, you have to take the initiative to drive to a Krispy Kreme store just to get a free donut. If they had trays of them at the site, it would basically be like shoving it directly into people's faces. Plus, then the people running the site would have to manage other retailers who might want to jump in on some free promotion. It could be perceived as that hospital or provider, or the government, endorsing certain companies.
I have no problem with them doing the promotion in their own stores. People who will make the effort to go there for one free donut are not going to have an impact on the obesity crisis.
It wasnt actually suggested - it was me describing what would be acceptable from an advertising linked to health care point of view in Australia.
so, sure, KK donuts on shared tray, probably not good from infection control point of view - but individually wrapped something - yes.
Like the individually wrapped biscuits packets.
We get them and individually wrapped drinks- water bottles, juice boxes - after donating blood here.
We did (fact, not suggestion) get KK and a few other free things delivered to staff rooms of hospitals and clinics in lock down last year - for staff, not the public.
I guess each work place was rung beforehand and asked if they would accept.
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my debate question wasnt really about whether KK donuts are good from a weight management point of view - more about how much advertsing is allowed or acceptable to be linked to health care.
I dont think Australia would be ok with any product advertising via a promotion like this.2 -
It's amazing this wouldn't fly in Australia, it's completely unremarkable here. We see ourselves as consumers first, and hold on let me ask google what "citizens" means.6
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »YellowD0gs wrote: »Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.
Totally disagree. A $3 or so drink, doughnut etc is not going to do one thing change anyone's mind about getting a vaccine.
You obviously don't live in a college town, and don't understand the value of a free beer. My point wasn't so much about changing someone's mind, as it was about about motivating people to get their shots ASAP. BTW, our State just went to come-one-come-all vaccinations, and appointments are hard to find.3 -
YellowD0gs wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »YellowD0gs wrote: »Getting back to the OP's original question, Krispy Kreme giving away donuts is one thing, but if bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments said "Show your vax card, and the first one is on the house!"...I guarantee the line outside the health department waiting to get vaxxed would be quite a bit longer than it already is. And that's a good thing!
In fact, I'm just fine with all the businesses, events, etc. that we've all been missing out on for the last year doing whatever they can to encourage the vaccine program! It still remains YOUR choice whether you partake or not.
Totally disagree. A $3 or so drink, doughnut etc is not going to do one thing change anyone's mind about getting a vaccine.
You obviously don't live in a college town, and don't understand the value of a free beer. My point wasn't so much about changing someone's mind, as it was about about motivating people to get their shots ASAP. BTW, our State just went to come-one-come-all vaccinations, and appointments are hard to find.
As a matter of fact I've lived in a college town with 20k students at the state school, 2k at a private school, and another 5k at a JC for 40 years. Again, a $3 beer isn't going to motivate anyone to get a shot that is anti-vaxer or make them get it faster if they do want one but it's a PITA to get a time slot.
The students around here are beer ponging in the front yards and parking lots. A 30 rack of Busch Light is $14, no shortage of beer and a free one isn't going to motivate someone to spend a bunch of time trying to get a slot.
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paperpudding wrote: »my debate question wasnt really about whether KK donuts are good from a weight management point of view - more about how much advertsing is allowed or acceptable to be linked to health care.
I dont think Australia would be ok with any product advertising via a promotion like this.
I'm curious what you mean by "Australia" in that last sentence: The government? The public? Both? Something else?
In the US, it's unclear to me what would stop this. A company can do a promotion around almost anything, as long as it doesn't run afoul of anti-discrimination laws or the like. If they want to do a promotion around (say) wearing a pink ballcap into their shop, or showing a student ID from a school/college (student discounts are real), or pretty much anything like that, AFAIK it would be legal. In this case, you show your vaccination card - not very different. I think it would take new lawmaking to prevent it, and we can't even get legislative agreement on important stuff, let alone on stopping people from getting free donuts.
Or are you saying that the public wouldn't stand for it? People here like free stuff.
You, as the thread initiator, do get to say what's on topic, but to me, the public-health pushback here is simply a specific case of people in the US saying this promotion is inappropriate. That their reason applies to this promotion, not necessarily to any promotion related to a vaccination (or other public health) initiative, seems like a tactical detail. 🤷♀️ When you want something to stop, you use arguments likely to work in the particular case. "There shouldn't be promotions contingent on vaccination" is too abstract to be much of a selling point, even if that's the root. (It would also tend to bring on the anti-vax flag-waving, here, I suspect, even more than this already has.)4 -
claireychn074 wrote: »I’m kind of torn. At a selfish level I’m thinking “ohhh yeah” because I haven’t had a glazed doughnut in a year and I want one. But this discriminates against those who can’t have a vaccine (allergies / immuno compromised), and given that obesity seems to have a definite link to the seriousness of infection (not saying everyone with COVID is obese but obesity has been linked to the more serous form of the disease), is this kind of promotion a bad idea? But then we get into the nanny state debate and freedom of choice / personal responsibility.
Regardless, I now want a glazed doughnut.
It doesn’t, though. Their website says people without vaccination cards (for whatever reason) can come in on Mondays. And they do not encourage them to be eaten everyday, they just want to offer them every day (also on the website).
I think it’s a nice idea to help promote the vaccines. Sure, it promotes the product as well, but I like the gesture.4 -
NorthCascades wrote: »It's amazing this wouldn't fly in Australia, it's completely unremarkable here. We see ourselves as consumers first, and hold on let me ask google what "citizens" means.
I'm not sure what you mean by last sentence about asking google what citizens means - but amazingly though it may seem to you, this would not fly in Australia- the concept of health messages being muddied by commercial product promotion may be unremarkable in US, but I doubt it would be here.
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paperpudding wrote: »my debate question wasnt really about whether KK donuts are good from a weight management point of view - more about how much advertsing is allowed or acceptable to be linked to health care.
I dont think Australia would be ok with any product advertising via a promotion like this.
I'm curious what you mean by "Australia" in that last sentence: The government? The public? Both? Something else?
In the US, it's unclear to me what would stop this. A company can do a promotion around almost anything, as long as it doesn't run afoul of anti-discrimination laws or the like. If they want to do a promotion around (say) wearing a pink ballcap into their shop, or showing a student ID from a school/college (student discounts are real), or pretty much anything like that, AFAIK it would be legal. In this case, you show your vaccination card - not very different. I think it would take new lawmaking to prevent it, and we can't even get legislative agreement on important stuff, let alone on stopping people from getting free donuts.
Or are you saying that the public wouldn't stand for it? People here like free stuff.
You, as the thread initiator, do get to say what's on topic, but to me, the public-health pushback here is simply a specific case of people in the US saying this promotion is inappropriate. That their reason applies to this promotion, not necessarily to any promotion related to a vaccination (or other public health) initiative, seems like a tactical detail. 🤷♀️ When you want something to stop, you use arguments likely to work in the particular case. "There shouldn't be promotions contingent on vaccination" is too abstract to be much of a selling point, even if that's the root. (It would also tend to bring on the anti-vax flag-waving, here, I suspect, even more than this already has.)
Not sure what you mean by a tactical detail - I dont have any tactics, just thought it was interesting discussion topic.
Yes by 'Australia' I mean the Australian society or public - I dont think it would be an illegal promotion here but I think there would be backlash against a company using a health promotion to promote their commercial product -especially a product with no relevance to the health message ( ie donuts has no relevance to get your Covid vaccine)
Now that could just be my subjective perception of what the Australian public would accept - but given there are no such promotions here and given I have worked in primrary health care for several decades - I think I am in fair position to assess that.
Soft approach small scale promotions like providing treats for staff or like one we ran year or so ago about Bowel Cancer Screening in which we gave out FOBT kits and pamphlets and free apples to patients - these were on a table at reception and did have a sign saying apples donated by Woolworths
so indirect advertising for WW's - but eating more fibre and fruit/veg is relevant to bowel cancer risk and it was small scale and at 'point of sale' - nobody objected.
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paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »my debate question wasnt really about whether KK donuts are good from a weight management point of view - more about how much advertsing is allowed or acceptable to be linked to health care.
I dont think Australia would be ok with any product advertising via a promotion like this.
I'm curious what you mean by "Australia" in that last sentence: The government? The public? Both? Something else?
In the US, it's unclear to me what would stop this. A company can do a promotion around almost anything, as long as it doesn't run afoul of anti-discrimination laws or the like. If they want to do a promotion around (say) wearing a pink ballcap into their shop, or showing a student ID from a school/college (student discounts are real), or pretty much anything like that, AFAIK it would be legal. In this case, you show your vaccination card - not very different. I think it would take new lawmaking to prevent it, and we can't even get legislative agreement on important stuff, let alone on stopping people from getting free donuts.
Or are you saying that the public wouldn't stand for it? People here like free stuff.
You, as the thread initiator, do get to say what's on topic, but to me, the public-health pushback here is simply a specific case of people in the US saying this promotion is inappropriate. That their reason applies to this promotion, not necessarily to any promotion related to a vaccination (or other public health) initiative, seems like a tactical detail. 🤷♀️ When you want something to stop, you use arguments likely to work in the particular case. "There shouldn't be promotions contingent on vaccination" is too abstract to be much of a selling point, even if that's the root. (It would also tend to bring on the anti-vax flag-waving, here, I suspect, even more than this already has.)
Not sure what you mean by a tactical detail - I dont have any tactics, just thought it was interesting discussion topic.
Yes by 'Australia' I mean the Australian society or public - I dont think it would be an illegal promotion here but I think there would be backlash against a company using a health promotion to promote their commercial product -especially a product with no relevance to the health message ( ie donuts has no relevance to get your Covid vaccine)
Now that could just be my subjective perception of what the Australian public would accept - but given there are no such promotions here and given I have worked in primrary health care for several decades - I think I am in fair position to assess that.
Soft approach small scale promotions like providing treats for staff or like one we ran year or so ago about Bowel Cancer Screening in which we gave out FOBT kits and pamphlets and free apples to patients - these were on a table at reception and did have a sign saying apples donated by Woolworths
so indirect advertising for WW's - but eating more fibre and fruit/veg is relevant to bowel cancer risk and it was small scale and at 'point of sale' - nobody objected.
What I mean by "tactical" is that people saying "why would you offer people donuts that are calorie dense and nutrient poor as a vaccine reward" is an example of some of the US public not liking this promotion. I used the term "tactical" because people will have *specific* objections (like this example), probably not super-generic ones like "there should not be promotions based on getting your vaccine". Even if some people think the latter, it would garner little attention or publicity, so not be very effective pushback.2 -
I am wondering what form you would anticipate this objection taking? Would you anticipate protests, or a boycott, or something else? I can’t imagine anyone here getting that worked up about a free donut to bother. We have a lot of health related promos and corporate tie ins here in Canada (that do annoy me), mostly for breast cancer and such. They put those little pink ribbons on everything - it’s like an industry in itself. Do you not have that in Australia? I haven’t seen anything about the vaccine here though.4
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