In China, You Might Have to Watch an Ad Just to Get Toilet Paper

Imagine walking into a public restroom and realizing you can’t grab toilet paper… until you watch a commercial. Sounds like something out of a comedy sketch, right? But in some parts of China, this quirky reality is already here.

How the Toilet Paper Ads Work

In select public restrooms, toilet paper dispensers are connected to a tiny piece of tech magic. You scan a QR code, and then you have two choices:

1. Watch a Short Ad – Usually about 30 seconds, after which the dispenser releases a few sheets of toilet paper.

2. Pay a Small Fee – Skip the ad and pay roughly 0.5 RMB (around 7 cents USD) for instant access.

The idea is simple: curb waste, prevent theft, and keep public restrooms stocked for everyone.

Why Ads in Bathrooms?

It might sound strange, but the logic is practical. Public restrooms often struggle with overuse and people taking more toilet paper than they need. By linking toilet paper access to ads or micro-payments, authorities hope to reduce unnecessary consumption.

Plus, it gives brands a captive audience – arguably one of the most attentive audiences on Earth!

The Public Reaction

Reactions are mixed. Some users find it amusing or clever, while others worry about accessibility. What if your phone dies, or you don’t have mobile internet? And hygiene-conscious users may question touching shared QR codes.

This isn’t the first time China has experimented with tech-driven restroom solutions. In recent years, some public toilets even used facial recognition to limit toilet paper per person, a system that raised eyebrows around the world.

Could This Catch On Elsewhere?

While the idea might seem unusual, it highlights a broader trend: cities looking for creative ways to manage shared resources. Could your local mall someday make you watch a TikTok ad to grab a paper towel? Stranger things have happened.