Marie Stopes International welcomes relaxation of rules governing condom television advertising.

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 12:00 AM

Marie Stopes International welcomes relaxation of rules governing condom television advertising

Following a comprehensive review and public consultation the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) are launching new UK Advertising Codes. The Codes relax TV scheduling restrictions on condom advertising, which may now appear before the 9pm watershed, but must be kept away from programmes aimed at younger viewers (under 10s). The new codes will come into effect on September 1, 2010. Leading sexual and reproductive health agency Marie Stopes International today issued the following statement:

"Marie Stopes International (MSI) welcomes the relaxation of rules to permit pre-watershed condom advertising in the UK after September.

"The UK has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe and rates of some sexually transmitted infections have risen dramatically among this age group in recent years. Adverts promoting responsible condom usage should provide young people with the information they need to protect themselves against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infection.

"The CAP/BCAP decision reflects findings in a recent independent survey of UK adults commissioned by MSI and carried out by YouGov which found that over three quarters of respondents (76%) agreed that TV adverts about condoms should be allowed provided they are not broadcast during programmes directly targeting children.

"MSI does not believe that condom adverts will encourage promiscuity among young people. On the contrary, they will be subject to strict rules governing taste and decency, and will neither sexualise, nor mislead or misinform young people. Advertisements such as these, providing responsible, factual information will bring much needed balance to the constant stream of imagery which young people are bombarded with through television, print media, internet, music and computer games.

"The Government has made good progress in improving the sexual health of young people recently with the introduction of compulsory sex and relationships education. Pre-watershed condom advertising should be seen in the context of this initiative as part of a suite of long overdue interventions to improve young people's sexual health."

All quotations are attributable to: Dana Hovig, Chief Executive, Marie Stopes International

For further information please contact:
Tony Kerridge, Senior Communications Manager:

+44 (0) 207 034 2365 / +44 (0) 7748 948 037

tony.kerridge@mariestopes.org.uk

Notes to editors

Marie Stopes International (MSI) is a specialist organisation providing expert and confidential care and support to men and women of all ages in relation to their sexual and reproductive healthcare, including unplanned pregnancy advice and services and contraceptive provision. For further information visit www.mariestopes.org.uk

The YouGov statistics are from a poll of 2096 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 9th - 11th February, 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

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