A decision by Whitcoulls to require R18 stickers on the first issue of Jack magazine to be sold over the counter has delayed distribution of the publication's first charged-for issue in the nationwide chain by at least two weeks. Concerned about an erect condomed penis shown in a NZ AIDS Foundation advertisement, Whitcoulls pulled the magazine from its shelves just days after it first appeared. Warren Hunter of Whitcoulls says the company decided to require the R18 sticker on the magazine, despite it being sealed in plastic and already prominently stickered “Caution: Contains nudity.” GayNZ.com understands that no other stockists of Jack have expressed concern and Jack publisher Julian Haldane says he had already checked with the Office of Film and Literature Classification which advised no restriction would be necessary due to the packaging, the context of the advertisement and the ‘lifetstyle' nature of the publication. Copies of Jack had already been sent out to Whitcoulls branches when the internal decision was made to withdraw them and require the R18 stickers before restocking stores, delaying Jack's debut at its main retil outlet by more than two weeks. It is now likely to reappear on or about May 18th. Haldane says he is pleased the company has decided to restock Jack. Ref: GayNZ.com (j)