In a bid to cut the number of teenage pregnancies in the UK, advice on abortion could soon by advertised on television and radio.
The new proposals would see rules restricting the advertising of condoms on television relaxed, while adverts for pregnancy advisory services could be seen on TV screens during prime time and heard over the radio if approved by advertising watchdogs.
Despite some groups being opposed to condom adverts, the legislation could be enacted following a review of the Advertising Codes carried out by Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee on Advertising Practice.
Recent figures showing more than 11,000 under-16s were diagnosed with gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes or genital warts between 2002 and 2006 have prompted calls from the Independent Advisory Group on sexual health and HIV to look into amending the rules.
Currently, Channel 4 is the only station where condom adverts can be seen from 7pm, but that could change following the end of the 12-week consultation comes on June 19. The new codes are expected to come into force by around 2010.
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