Access to contraceptives hailed but condom machines a bitter pill

Hong Kong may have just won acclaim for having the best access to contraceptives in the developing world, but its Urban Councillors have a problem with condoms.

Despite repeated appeals from various AIDS concern groups, the Urban Council has refused to budge on the issue of installing condom-vending machines in public toilets.

Convenience stores are convenient enough for lovers, and there is no need for machines in toilets, a spokesman confirmed.

Hong Kong has just been cited as offering the best contraceptive access in the developing world, beating Singapore, South Korea, Tunisia and Taiwan.

The private United States organisation, Population Action International, hailed Germany, New Zealand and Spain as the top three developed countries offering universal access to contraceptives.

The five most common methods are condoms, the pill, intrauterine devices, sterilisation and vasectomies.

AIDS Concern has advocated the use of condom-vending machines for years. It has targeted bars and restaurants in the past, putting them in touch with condom manufacturers, but to no avail.