U.K. Regulators Delay Review Of New Rules For Abortion, Condom TV Ads

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 11 Sep 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Broadcast and advertising regulators in the United Kingdom have delayed a decision until next year on whether to relax television advertising restrictions for abortion and condoms, the Daily Mail reports. Under the proposal from the Broadcast Committee on Advertising Practice and the Committee on Advertising Practice, abortion clinics would be allowed to advertise their services and condom ads would be permitted before the current cutoff of 9 p.m. (Poulter, Daily Mail, 9/9).

According to The Guardian, the proposal -- which was made in March -- drew nearly 4,000 responses from various groups, including antiabortion-rights groups and sexual health advocates (Sweney, The Guardian, 9/8). Proponents of the proposals said that they could help improve sex education and reduce teen pregnancy rates. Tony Kerridge, a spokesperson for Marie Stopes International, said, "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." Kerridge added, "Pregnancy testing is already advertised. Surely then it is logical to provide information regarding the choices and services available if that test proves positive." Critics, including religious and antiabortion-rights groups, said the ads could promote sexual promiscuity, the Daily Mail reports (Daily Mail, 9/9).

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