BOC:Slip, Slop, Slap

"The Slip! Slop! Slap! slogan is the core message of the Cancer Council's SunSmart program and has become part of the Australian language" (Sunsmart.com).The slip part of the theme encourages people to slip on a shirt to reduce exposure to harmful UV rays."Sid the seagull, wearing board shorts, t-shirt and a hat, tap-danced his way across our TV screens singing a catchy jingle to remind us of three easy ways of protecting against skin cancer"(cancer.org.au).The slop refers to putting on sun screen lotion to protect any parts of the body. The slap talks about placing a hat so that you can further protect yourself. In the 70's and 80's more information was being gathered that suggested that too much exposure to the sun could cause certain types of cancer. The ad campaign was commissioned and launched by the Cancer Council Victoria in 1981. There is an article in cphealth.com that states that the ad campaign could be too successful. In recent years, there has been an increased deficiency in the vitamin D levels of australians. Vitamin D is absorbed through the skin when sun light hits the body. At a very young age people are told to protect themselves so much that they are now hurting themselves by not receiving sun light. The recommended amount of time that a person should  spend outside should range from three to five minutes. If a person does not want to risk exposure to harmful amounts of UV rays it is also possible to take vitamin supplements to make up for the deficiency. "In 2007, the slogan was updated to Slip Slop Slap Seek Slide to reflect the importance of seeking shade and sliding on wrap around sunglasses to prevent sun damage"(cancer.org.au).