They might look sweet and cuddly, but could teddy bears actually pose a threat to children's health?

That’s what the Norwegian Heart and Lung Association (LHL) hopes a controversial advertising campaign will prompt parents to consider, writes thelocal.no.

The organization established a special unit to focus on the rising number of Norwegian children affected by asthma and allergies. To drive home its message that teddy bears can collect dust that threatens children’s health, LHL Asthma and Allergy teamed up with advertising firm Kitchen to launch a campaign featuring stuffed animals made to look like dictators Adolf Hitler, Muammar Gaddafi and Kim Jong-il.

“By focusing on children's bedrooms we want to stop the problem of asthma and allergies before it even starts to develop. This campaign addresses how dangerous stuffed animals can be if they are not washed regularly,” Kitchen copywriter Bendik Romstad told The Local.

"For children, stuffed animals can be just as dangerous as the world´s worst despots," she added.

The campaign has garnered significant attention within Norway since its launch earlier this month.

bbabo.Net