Coasters offer chance to drink to safe sex

Thousands of beer coasters bearing pictures of condoms are to be handed out in bars, restaurants, nightclubs and saunas during a safe sex campaign being launched today.

AIDS Concern said about 100,000 coasters would be used during a three-week 'Do it safely' campaign.

All feature pictures of a fluorescent condom on one side, with one of three safe-sex messages on the reverse.

For the heterosexual market, it says: 'Do it safely; use a condom every time.' Coasters in gay bars and saunas will read: 'Do it safely; use an extra-strong condom plus water-based lubricant every time.' Coasters aimed at those involved in the sex industry say: 'Health is wealth. Practise safer sex every time' AIDS Concern support services co-ordinator Loretta Wong Wai-kwan said: 'The launch of the scheme came ahead of World AIDS Day [tomorrow]. I think the response will be quite mixed.

'But what we are trying to do is catch their eye first and then they pick up the coaster.'