Some Countries still Police Condom Use

The use of condoms is currently one of the most popular and widely adopted forms of contraception. In the United States, the United Kingdom and most other developed countries, people are encouraged to use condoms to help curtail the spread of STDs, HIV and rapid population growth, which has been identified in the past as contributory to the economic problems and poverty among constituents.

For quite some time already, people are now more comfortable in using and hearing about condoms. Worldwide, it is estimated that there are about 12 billion condoms being sold and distributed every year. That number is still expected to significantly rise in the near future as many governments recognize the importance of birth control and prevention of the spread of communicable sexually transmitted diseases.

But the fact that condoms are now more commonly used by a greater number of people is offset by the naked truth that there are still several governments that do not fully allow the sale of condoms. These countries are usually predominantly controlled by a vocal minority that refuses to embrace and accept the modern use of contraceptives in helping alleviating poverty though birth control.

Here are several countries that have policies that still prevent a wider and more open manufacturing and sale of condoms for birth control.

Pakistan : Pakistan allows the sale and use of condoms. However, the government wants people to patronize its own Sabaz Sitara brand of condoms. The problem is that such condoms are of low quality and standards. Thus, experts doubt whether the condoms are still doing its function well to prevent the onset of unwanted and unexpected pregnancies. The government has placed little interest in the welfare of its citizenry and more interest in helping out friends and business partners, who typically pay government officials for such lucrative contracts.

Republic of Ireland : Historically in this country, condoms were sold to couples with the prescription of their doctors. Alas, there were only a few doctors who are willing to prescribe condoms to couples. Many people were encumbered by the need to present legal certificates and documents proving marriage. Condom users were typically provided with condoms through buying smuggled condoms from the neighboring Northern Ireland. Nowadays, condom sales are more open, however, condoms remain unreasonably high-priced and taxed. This prevents condom use from being adopted by those who do not make a lot of money, which arguably are the people who need condoms the most.

Iran : Iran being a predominantly Muslim country does not openly support or endorse the use of condoms to control population growth. Through the years, the government has remained silent about the subject while policing the sale and distribution of condoms within the country. Iran neither endorses nor bans the sale and use of condoms, though the government has been blaming economic hardships and poverty to higher population growth rate in the past years.

The Philippines : Because the country is predominantly Roman Catholic in religion, people are listening to calls from the church to avoid using artificial contraception. Local governments in the country are aiming to please the church, as they remain a strong force in the politics of the country. That is why there is no wonder that the country is failing in efforts to promote the use of condoms for contraception. However, malls, convenience stores and pharmacies are starting to sell condoms to curb rising STD rates.