It was not an easy decision when we chose to list today's topic on our society count down board. As prudishness is not a wise choice we felt we had to discuss the distasteful issue of flavored condoms. We apologize if the topic offends you as it did a couple of indignant parents who called us in dismay. However, this page indeed, this newspaper, is not even remotely as blatantly offensive as the billboards that advertise these prophylactics with such reckless zeal.

An Advertising Shame!

Ethiopia has come a long way since the days of total restriction on all media and media related works. All signs point to the continued development of Ethiopian media and particularly of the advertising and promotions sector. We state this not with cautious optimism but with firm confidence derived from close observation of Ethiopia's booming economy.
If anything, the advertising sector in Ethiopia is growing so robustly that it is committing some severe blunders and even outright felonious activity. Ethiopian advertising is in short, too free-wheeling. It's a wild west!
The huge billboards advertising flavored condoms are a vivid example of the excesses in the sector. One fails to see why in the first instance, one would want their condoms to taste like chocolate - banana or what have you …next is the audacious and low-brow act of publicly advertising a sexual accessory in a manner that would attract children. What ad agency has sold its soul for producing something its managers don't want their own teenagers to view? The topic is so irksome that as we went around microphone in hand to gather viewpoints , many turned up their noses in distaste. Some refused to entertain us at all. We did however manage to gather the following opinions and comments. Of the 21 individuals we talked to only two thought that flavored condoms should be advertised. At this point, we would like to stress that we are not against flavored condoms per se but only their irresponsible promotion on print and electronic media.

What are your views regarding the
promotion of flavored condoms?

The issue often reminds me of the way pornographic magazines and newspapers were quickly banned after concerned mothers complained to the then Prime Minister. The presence of such distasteful advertising indicates that our morals have become lax since then. I call on all concerned to raise their voices in order we get rid of such public indecency.

Tamru -Waiter

This is a democratic country I suppose, but I think there is a double standard among society why should it not be considered decent to talk about reproductive health in the family but its okay to advertise flavored condoms?
The only way we can prevent our children from being negatively influenced by what they see and hear in everyday life is to raise them with a firm sense of right and wrong. I always hated condoms advertised on billboards but I felt then that the struggle against HIV/AIDS was too important. Now, they are advertising flavored and textured condoms … what is the justification? No, don't tell me because in the end what good would it do if we can make the authorities stop such advertising insanity if our children will still be exposed to many other things in different forms. I say raise your kids to be of strong moral fiber and they will do just fine, regardless of some of the very filthy things in our urban environment.

Mack F.portrait artist

You can't fight this so I suggest we leave it alone. Why? Because behind the condom business is big money and powerful individuals who have grown wealthy, thanks to HIV/AIDS and a total monopoly on the import and distribution of condoms. I say, give them a call (its on the condom packet) and ask them to justify flavored condoms. My guess is they will hang up as soon as you raise the subject Trust me, I tried.

Sonny, Taxi owner

I can understand the intentions of companies making flavored condoms, as they represent a health product’s version of what Microsoft is doing with its soft ware every year. The company changes a couple of things from a previous version and the new one becomes the fashion of the day. That is probably what the condom companies are doing with their flavored condoms. That means advertising companies promote the product as long as they get paid for it but I think they should find a way to do it in a more decent and ethical manner.

Yonas, IT student