Advertising formula is not the same as advertising diapers or playpens.
It is akin to advertising cigarettes, which, in many countries of the
world, is banned (e.g. Canada).  Because cigarettes are bad for your
health (like formula); because they are addictive (like formula);
because they are targetted towards vulnerable people (tobacco towards
children, formula towards new mothers who are trying to do the best for
their babies, and infants who cannot defend themselves from the
advertising).

The fact that many readers use formula is beside the point.  Many
readers use formula, often, because already get too much advertising
from too many people, including health professionals.  Advertising of
formula performs no useful function for the target, as basically all
formulas are the same.  For particular health concerns, it should be a
health professional who should be looking at options with the parents
(as if...).

The WHO code bans advertising of formula to the lay public.  It does not
seem to be generally known that the formula companies were involved in
its development.  They thus agreed that direct advertising was
unethical.  All countries of the world also agreed that it was
unethical.  Just because they don't do anything about it (with few
exceptions), does not make that advertising ethical.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC