Family Planning hopes subsidising flavoured, textured and coloured condoms will reduce the rate of sexually transmitted infections.

Pharmac has decided to fund the extra varieties, saying people want more choice. It also says it can get a cheaper deal on all condoms by including options, such as banana flavour and ribbed.

Dr Christine Roke of Family Planning says New Zealand has extremely high rates of sexually transmitted infections, and promotes anything that encourages condom use.

She says young people often ask for different flavours at Family Planning clinics.

Dr Roke says it does not matter what colour or flavour condoms are, as they are good quality.

Source: newstalkzb.co.uk, New Zealand, 21 August 2008