This is a picture of the 'tombstone' advert. This is a still from the 'tombstone' television advert, which was broadcast in 1987 as part of a national UK government campaign to tackle the growing problem of HIV/AIDS. The advert begins with a volcano erupting, and then you see a man carving the word AIDS into a tombstone. The stone then falls over and a copy of the 'Don't Die of Ignorance' leaflet, which accompanied the campaign, and which was posted to every person's house, drops onto the stone, along with a bunch of lilies, to represent death. The text below is a transcript of the voiceover that accompanied the advert.

"There is now a danger that has become a threat to us all. It is a deadly disease and there is no known cure. The virus can be passed during sexual intercourse with an infected person. Anyone can get it, man or woman. So far its been confined to small groups, but it's spreading. So protect yourself, and read this leaflet when it arrives. If you ignore AIDS, it could be the death of you. So don't die of ignorance."

More about the history of HIV and AIDS can be found at http://www.avert.org/historyi.htm

This photo is part of a larger HIV and AIDS picture gallery. For more HIV and AIDS photos visit http://www.avert.org/historyi.htm

Please note, that this HIV and AIDS tombstone picture is copyrighted. If you wish to use it or any part of it on your site, or in any other way, please ask permission from the copyright holder. The contact details of the copyright holders can be found here.

Photo credit: � Crown Copyright and AVERT