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Men were encouraged to shoulder their responsibility in the prevention of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases by using condoms under this year's AIDS campaign.

Speaking at today's (Monday) press conference, the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Publicity on AIDS (CEPAIDS), Ms Carlye Tsui, said that the theme of this year's AIDS campaign was "Be a Responsible Man, Use a Condom".

She said the campaign would be launched from today to tie in with the World AIDS Day on December 1.

The Convenor of CEPAIDS' Task Force on Media and Publicity, Mr Cheung Che-kok, said that this year's campaign reminded men that condoms were effective in preventing AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

They had the responsibility to protect themselves and their loved ones against AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, Mr Cheung added.

"To appeal to our targets, we have invited Mr Yuen Wah, a popular artiste, to assist in the production of our publicity materials, including a TV Announcement in the Public Interest (API) and a poster," he said.

"We have also prepared two versions of radio APIs in different languages, including Cantonese, English and Putonghua," he added.

In the 30-second TV API, Mr Yuen Wah, shopping in a supermarket, was looking for the shelf where condoms were put. The same theme was carried in the poster and one radio API while another radio API focused on reminding men not to forget bringing condoms when going on overseas trips.

Mr Cheung said an interesting and humourous approach was consistently adopted in all publicity materials to arouse public concern on AIDS.

Also present at today's press conference were Mr Yuen Wah and the Consultant Physician of the Department of Health, Dr Lee Shui-shan.

Ms Tsui and Mr Cheung presented a souvenir and a trophy to Mr Yuen to thank him for his support to the campaign.

End/Monday, November 30, 1998

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