Cambodian Premier Hun Criticizes Public Service Ad for Not Promoting Condom Use

Cambodian Premier Hun Sen on Wednesday at a graduation of health students in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, said that a Population Services International public service advertisement encourages people to have sex rather than to use condoms to prevent HIV, Xinhua/People's Daily reports.

The ad features two men who approach fashion models and are removed from the room by a security guard. The men later return with condoms, and two of the models go out with them. "The spot looks like [it is] saying Cambodian ladies are hungry for sex," rather than promoting condom use, Hun said.

He added, "It is a nice thing that we create spots to educate people about the danger of HIV/AIDS, but we also should be cautious" in developing the ads because they "can persuade careless people to find dangerous partners who might therefore transmit" HIV. Hun added that the country's health ministry should monitor ads that negatively could affect society. PSI should develop new ads that provide education about HIV/AIDS and the advantages of using condoms, Hun said (Xinhua/People's Daily, 10/3).

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