Tango advertisement taken off air

11 November 2004

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Chairman, Lord Borrie Q.C, has asked broadcasters to remove an advertisement for the soft drink ‘Tango’ from the TV schedules following complaints from members of the public. The ASA is investigating concerns that the advertisement may lead to emulation, by children, resulting in harm. Lord Borrie has, after careful consideration, exercised his powers to have it taken off air pending the outcome of the investigation.

The advertisement, ‘Tango Pipes’, features a young man wrapped inside an orange-filled carpet and laid on top of several large concrete pipes. The ad shows the man rolling down a hill, crashing into a tree and then being hit by the concrete pipes resulting in the oranges exploding over him.

The ASA took over responsibility for broadcast advertising regulation on November 1st and has received four complaints about the commercial. The complainants include relatives of a boy who was killed in an accident whilst playing with concrete pipes. They believe the advertisement depicts dangerous behaviour and could result in emulation by children who see it.

The advertisement will stay off air until this matter has been considered by the ASA Council and its decision will be published on our website – www.asa.org.uk