‘Stunt promotes communication’

Vodafone Malta has denied claims it was promoting sex on campus by handing out free condoms during the first week of University as part of a new students’ package.

“We do not feel we are promoting sex on campus. We are promoting communication. Condoms can be purchased easily from supermarkets, pharmacies, parking areas, restaurants and so on. We don’t believe these establishments promote sex,” a spokesman said.

The marketing gimmick was criticised as “cheap”, “controversial” and “insulting” by a number of readers who wrote to The Times to air their views. A priest actually went as far as to say that he would be withdrawing his subscription with the company because of the stunt.

Other readers who wrote to timesofmalta.com said they felt the campaign was responsible because it promoted safe sex to an audience that was already predominantly sexually active.

“On the University campus the introduction of a condom machine is an on-going debate. Through this focused campaign we wanted to promote communication about this topic without getting into the merits of what is best, as each and every student can debate whether this is the right or wrong thing to do,” the company spokesman said.

“We think it is up to the community to draw their own conclusions and we have to be sensitive to the community. What we do know is that it has sparked a nationwide debate, be it positive or negative. There are very passionate arguments for and against. At no time was it intended to create any animosity or disrespect to the community.”

The company stressed it res­pected everyone’s point of view and said the campaign was only used at the University, even though the offers applied to all students.

“At Junior College we used the idea of lollipops, with the tagline Get The Sweetest Deal because of minors there,” the spokesman added.