
In a decision released yesterday, the Advertising Standards Authority upheld 38 complaints received about the billboard for the Advanced Medical Institute.
Complainants said the billboard was near two schools and there was a high likelihood it would be seen by children. They said it was not clear what the actual product was and the dominant message was sex.
Upholding the complaints, the authority acknowledged that premature ejaculation affected about 30 per cent of men. But it said it was conscious of the public concern at using billboards to advertise matters relating to personal health problems.
It said the combination of the wording, large type size, bold colours and overall size of the billboards promoting a product for adult men to assist with a personal health problem was likely to cause widespread offence.
This was particularly so as it was visible to a very wide audience, including children.