Sofia, Bulgaria – from www.sofiaecho.com – A recent billboard commercial for Penthouse magazine that reportedly “outraged” the public has prompted the ethics commission of the National Council for Self-regulation in Advertising to suggest that it is removed, Bulgarian Dnevnik daily reported on April 12 2010.

A similar recommendation was made concerning advertisements of Orgasm vodka, which were also deemed “highly obscene”. This followed “numerous complaints” regarding Penthouse and Orgasm.

“We understand that there is freedom of speech and freedom of expression, and that they have to be respected and upheld, but we cannot hide our contempt for the filth that is the Penthouse billboard,” one complaint said, as quoted by Dnevnik.

The Penthouse advert in question shows an eye depicted in vertical position, which could be confused with a vagina.

According to the ethics commission, the advertisements conflict with the proper conduct and regulations outlined in the codex dealing with “advertisement and retail communication” in Bulgaria.

The council a joint operation set up by the Bulgarian Advertisers Association, the Association of Bulgarian Advertising Agencies and the Association of Bulgarian Broadcasters.

There was no immediate comment from either Penthouse or Orgasm vodka, Dnevnik said.

SOFIA, Bulgaria (UPI) — Billboards in Sofia for a sex magazine that show what seems to be a woman’s pubic region sparked complaints to Bulgaria’s advertising regulator, officials say.

The photo in the ad is a vertically adjusted close-up of a woman’s bloodshot eye with swollen eyelids, but clearly resembles a woman’s genital region in a Monday posting by the Sofia Echo.

The Dnevdik daily newspaper said the ad for Penthouse magazine was pulled after numerous complaints to the advertising commission, one of which acknowledged rights issues.

“We understand that there is freedom of speech and freedom of expression, and that they have to be respected and upheld, but we cannot hide our contempt for the filth that is the Penthouse billboard,” one complaint said.

The Echo said other complaints had been filed with the ad commission about ads for Orgasm vodka, but photos or descriptions weren’t posted.