November 1, 2004
BY DAVE MCKINNEY
Sun-Times Springfield Bureau

From toilet paper to floor waxers to light bulbs, state government spends money on a broad range of things. Now, add flavored condoms to the list.

Since January, the state Department of Public Health has spent $115,000 in funds provided by the Bush administration on condoms, including 360,000 of them -- at a nickel a pop -- in orange, lemon, grape and cherry flavors.

Given away at public health clinics across the state, the flavored condoms are viewed by the agency as an effective tool to combat the spread of HIV, syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases, particularly in oral sex.

But the purchase has sparked surprise and criticism from some state lawmakers, who don't believe government dollars should be used for flavored or brightly colored condoms and that those exotic varieties undercut efforts to promote abstinence among young people.

"It bothers me when we're contracting for flavored condoms," said Sen. Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin), who didn't know of the practice. "The concept of providing readily available condoms to prevent transmission of disease is one thing. But when you're talking about French ticklers and attractive colors, it seems to border on enticement.

"If we're buying condoms, I'd expect us to buy army green, utilitarian, low-priced condoms for people who, for whatever reason, don't feel comfortable buying them on their own," he said.

A matter of taste

Overall, the state will purchase about 2.4 million condoms. The bulk of them are basic, lubricated condoms. But 360,000 of them are flavored, while another 910,000 are orange, green, red and blue.

Public Health Department spokesman Tom Schafer said the agency's HIV/AIDS section has bought flavored condoms for several years for clinics, but this year marks the first time its sexually transmitted disease section has done so.

"We based our decision on what clients were telling individuals at the various clinics, that if we want them to use a condom when engaging in oral sex, we should get them flavored condoms," Schafer said. "The taste of lubricated condoms is such they wouldn't encourage use."

The agency pointed to a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report issued this month that showed increases here in syphilis transmission among those who engage in oral sex.

"Because of the high rates of oral sex reported in clinics and because of disease statistics -- Chicago has one of the highest rates in the country for syphilis -- we were looking at any way possible to prevent additional cases," Schafer said.

'Very popular' with younger set

Chicago contracts on its own for free condom distribution.

"This is very popular among the younger people," said Mike Jackson, spokesman for the city Department of Public Health. "If it gets them to use them, then I think that's a positive."

As one of the ranking Republicans on the Senate's main budget-writing committee, Rauschenberger said he intends next spring to press the state Public Health Department to show data supporting how flavored condoms reduce STD rates. Schafer said no such studies currently exist.

Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago), chairwoman of the House Health Care Availability and Access Committee, said she too was surprised to learn the state contracted for flavored condoms. But she wasn't sure it mattered: "It's not costing any more or less. But I did not know we provided that."