Some Illinois lawmakers and government officials are criticizing the distribution of free flavored condoms by the state health department, saying the ‘exotic’ condoms hamper efforts to promote abstinence, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The department has spent about $115,000 in federal funds on the condoms since January and plans to purchase a total of 2.4 million for the year. Most are basic lubricated condoms. But about 360,000 are flavored condoms in orange, lemon, grape, and cherry flavors. About 910,000 others are red, orange, green, and blue in color. Health department spokesman Tom Schafer says the flavored condoms were purchased because clients at clinics in the state say they wanted the flavored products to use for oral sex.
However, Republican state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, a lawmaker from the 22nd District, says he is ‘bothered’ by the distribution of flavored or colored condoms. He said the condoms may encourage young people to have sex and undermine efforts in the state to promote abstinence as a way to prevent HIV, STDs, and unwanted pregnancies.