Church fury at go-ahead for pre-watershed condom adverts



Watchdogs are to allow condoms to be advertised on daytime TV in defiance of church warnings that it will encourage under-age sex.

A new code will permit condoms to be promoted before the 9pm watershed around any programme, providing it is not designed for children under ten.

The move follows claims from the Government's Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV that greater access to condoms is necessary to reduce the levels of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease.



Outrage: Bishops say the change will encourage under-16s to have sex

But bishops and family campaigners say it will normalise the idea of children under 16 having sex. The new UK Advertising Code, annnouced yesterday, also puts the TV industry at odds with church leaders on both pornography and gambling.

It will allow pornographic films and magazines to be advertised on subscription adult TV channels. Betting tipsters will be allowed to advertise on TV.

Proposals to allow commercial abortion clinics to advertise their services on TV and radio have been delayed following a public backlash. It is not clear if they will be pursued.



The code, which comes into force in September, has been drawn up by the industry bodies the Broadcast Committee on Advertising Practice and the Committee on Advertising Practice. Regulator Ofcom has approved it.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said: 'It is profoundly inappropriate to advertise condoms to children.

'Promoting the use of condoms cannot be separated from promoting sex, and the sexualisation of the target audience, which will be extended to children from ten to 16.'



