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Published on September 28, 2007

The latest that has gripped public attention is a condom campaign.

Hmm, considering the name of the advertiser - the Public Health Ministry - you might think that this should not have raised criticism. In a society where sex-related diseases have been widespread, such a commercial should have been warmly welcomed.

The ministry should be applauded for its effort to boost awareness which, in turn, would certainly boost condom sales. But yesterday, a pressure group urged the Culture Ministry to allow the airing of the commercial only after 10pm - when youngsters are supposed to be in bed.

The commercial features a boy who is too embarrassed to buy a condom and a girl who hands him one without the slightest sign of shyness. This convinced some parties that it gives out the wrong message. They fear that the commercial would encourage under-aged youth to have sex. So they suggested the ad be aired only late at night.

Hmm, it's worth thinking along. If boys are not shy at all, they would casually walk in and out of convenience stores to pick up condoms, which

are as easy to find as candy bars.

But what's wrong with that? Condoms should be treated like any other commodity.

If these boys do not have lovers, why would they need the condoms? Therefore, the condoms are for the safety of their lovers.

That's why I'm inclined to applaud the advertiser. At a time of widespread HIV/Aids and other sex-related diseases, all males - regardless of their age - should wear condoms.

I also wonder how a commercial can encourage people to have more sex. I think it's kind of insulting to all men. I don't think they are turned on when they see condoms but only by someone sexually attractive to them.

I have to say that this ad really gets to the point: "All men must be proud to carry condoms."

If there is anything wrong about the TV ad, it's the hard-sell approach. The condom the girl gives to the boy is so huge. Indeed, it is bigger than the boy's chest. The advertiser should be taken to task for exaggerating the size, since no condom in the world can be that big!

achara_d@nationgroup.com