Marie Stopes International welcomes review of condom and abortion advertising rules

Condoms could soon be advertised before the 9pm watershed, and abortion services could be advertised on television and radio for the first time

Following the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) announcement for a public consultation reviewing the current rules restricting the advertising of condoms and pregnancy advisory services, leading sexual health agency Marie Stopes International (MSI) issued the following statement:

“We are delighted that pregnancy advisory services, including abortion information, could soon be advertised on TV and radio, and that the late-night restriction on condom advertising could soon be relaxed.

This will present a wonderful opportunity to provide women and men all ages with clarity on the choices and services available to them in relation to all areas of sexual health, including unintended pregnancy.

We do not believe that such adverts will encourage promiscuity amongst young people. Young people are already bombarded with sexual imagery via the TV, internet, music and computer games. The proposed advertisements will provide only educational, medically accurate, factual information about access to condoms and pregnancy advisory services, and will not sexualise or mislead young people.

The adverts will be governed by strict codes ensuring that they are legal, accurate and appropriate, and will serve solely to educate the general public on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the choices available to women faced with an unintended pregnancy. A discreet advert highlighting where anxious women can access pregnancy counselling and abortion services is not going to encourage young girls to become pregnant.

The Department of Health has concerned itself with the provision of high-quality sex and relationship education (SRE) for young people. In support of this, as adults we should endeavour to equip young people with the knowledge and resources to be able to protect themselves against STIs, unintended pregnancy and their consequences; earlier advertising of condoms and pregnancy advisory services will be a step forward in meeting this aim and may contribute to lowering high rates of teenage pregnancy as part of a concerted strategy.

Just as we teach children how to cross the road safely using advertisements on the green cross code, advertising condoms and pregnancy advice services could work as a tool to educate young people to be sexually responsible when they are discovering sex.

Parents particularly should try to promote an open attitude towards talking about sex, to ensure their children approach them for advice if needed. If these adverts propel issues of safe-sex into people’s front rooms, and kick-start conversations around sexual responsibility, then the relaxing of the current advertising rules will be a very positive move.

A full range of adverts covering all aspects of a sexual relationship should be broadcast. Young people are already exposed to sexual imagery via the TV and radio, so adverts about condoms and other ways to protect against unintended pregnancy should be broadcast in tandem. Pregnancy testing is already advertised. Surely then it is logical to provide information regarding the choices and services available if that test proves positive?”

All quotes above are attributable to Tony Kerridge, Marie Stopes International.

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For media enquiries and spokesperson interview please contact:
Emily James: 0207 034 2307
Tony Kerridge: 0207 034 2365
Out of hours: 07748 948037

Categories: United Kingdom; Europe; Abortion; Contraception

26/03/2009

Marie Stopes International welcomes review of condom and abortion advertising rules

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