thedeadly AIDS disease has gone unnoticed by some of the people at which it was aimed.

The campaign, which includes local television commercials plugging the message of abstinence or safer sex through the use of a condom, is aimed at 18 to 25-year-olds.

It was revealed by the Advertising and Publicity Association of Bermuda (APAB) on October 12 after a year in the works.

And The Royal Gazette yesterday took to the streets to find out what youngsters thought of the campaign.

But a majority of the more than 20 polled had not yet seen the television ads either because they "don't watch that much television'' or they watch cable channels.

And most of those who had seen the ads said they did not believe they would change the attitude of sexually-active youngsters.

They said youngsters had "heard it all before''.

They suggested that tours of Agape House -- the hospice for the terminally ill, more efforts at home and in school on building youngsters' self-esteem, and more honesty from parents would have far greater impact.

Bermuda College student Danica Bascome said: "I don't think they (the ads) will be effective. There's too much peer pressure in the school system.

"When girls come to school they will tell other girls about their sexual experiences and those girls will get involved out of curiosity.'' The 19-year-old hotel student also stressed that no amount of time or money spent on ads will negate what youngsters learn from their parents and peers.

"This (sex education) should be taught in the home,'' she said. "Parents should not be afraid to ask and answer questions. And they should not be afraid to tell their children about their own sexual experiences.

"By discussing this they will lay the foundation to bring their children up in the right way.'' In addition to talking to youngsters, Miss Bascome said: "They should have tour groups through Agape House and let youngsters see AIDS victims suffering.

"You often hear about AIDS but no campaign is effective as seeing things for yourself.'' Nineteen-year-old Danielle Powell said anti-AIDS television commercials have been on for the past five years and while some people have heeded the warning, some have not.

"There's a lot of things we see and take in but do not apply to our lives,'' she said.

"We have to attack this from a different perspective. We need to teach children about who they are and boost their self-esteem.'' Fifteen-year-old Ronnell Darrell had similar sentiments.

"Using condoms is not going to prevent AIDS,'' she said, "because AIDS passes through condoms.'' Some youngsters still fail to heed warnings "They should be talking in the classroom and assemblies about the consequences of such behaviour.'' But Bermuda High School for Girls student Lauren McCreight and her friends, Julia Parker and Kim Wheddon, said they thought the television ads were "very effective'', particularly the one featuring local dancehall performer Tiny T.

"I think it could probably stop people from starting (sexual activity) and will make a few who already are think about it,'' Miss McCreight said.

Several others shared her view about the commercial which through Tiny T combines the message of "just say no'' with the alternative condom use.

But 17-year-old Janice Burrows said: "It might have an impact on some of the people Tiny T is friends with, but others will just see it as a commercial''.

Whitney student Theresa Turner agreed.

"They are not listening to what she (Tiny T) is saying, but doing. They see the ads as wicked. But some people are not worrying about it (AIDS) anymore.

They think oh, it's not going to happen to me.'' Berkeley Institute student Roddy Nesbitt said it would be best if condoms were available in schools to be distributed, upon request, from guidance counsellors, health or gym teachers.

"After all they are the ones who students usually talk to,'' he said.

The students' comments followed doubt raised over the impact of the campaign by Agape House coordinator Mrs. Hilary Soares.

Mrs. Soares told how, as a teenager, she had seen a film of emaciated victims in Nazi concentration camps.

Comparing that with the deteriorating bodies of AIDS patients, she said it was forever imprinted on her mind.

But APAB committee chairman Mr. Tom Lamont said in organising the campaign, the opinions of young people were sought and research showed that young people did not want to be associated with dying.

He said research also showed young people had many misconceptions about AIDS.

And he said while the ads attempted to clear them up, they could "only do so much''. It was up to the community to join in the effort.

Danica Bascome Lauren McCreight Roddy Nesbitt.