A poster campaign by a council was slammed as “disgusting and offensive” for apparently encouraging women to have unprotected sex on nights out.
Kingston Council’s “get it, forget it” campaign hoped to promote the contraceptive coil - a copper device inserted into the womb that works by stopping the sperm and egg from surviving - but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
The poster, that has been put up across the south-west London borough, read: “You spent the night in Clapham but you left your pill in Kingston, it might be time to consider the coil.”
Objectors said the posters promote promiscuity, do not warn of the dangers of catching an STI, and are giving a dangerous message to young girls.
Independent councillor Mary Clark said: “I am very broad-minded but I just find this campaign disgusting. The posters have no place in the middle of New Malden High Street. The message is completely confused.”
A council spokesman said: “Kingston has made excellent progress in reducing teenage pregnancy rates and has the second lowest abortion rate in London.
“More than 700 coils [have been] fitted in Kingston GP practices in the last 12 months.
“Kingston Council’s coil campaign is designed to build on this success with a thought-provoking message.
“This is a responsible public health campaign.”
