There is a big problem with this commercial. Most teenagers – most people I expect – would see this commercial and believe it, but be unwilling to apply it’s message to their sexual partners.

Without substantial conversation, this commercial just wouldn’t influence many people’s actions. Convincing teenagers that their partners might – gasp! – lie to them, or even decline to mention something as huge as an HIV infection is a major uphill battle. This commercial doesn’t even begin to fight that battle. (Similarly, nor would simply quoting that statistical factoid to your teenager without serious follow-up.)