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City introduces free subway motif condoms

By Philip Newman

The condoms are in glitzy black packages that read NYC Condom spelled in letters bearing the colors of subway lines and were handed out for the first time near subway stations on Valentine's Day.

New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden said the presentation of condoms is “a fun thing but done really to save lives.”

Volunteers Wednesday handed out 150,000 condoms, which are available at all Health Department branches as well as some bars, barber shops, beauty salons, dry cleaners and Kenneth Cole stores.

Frieden said the use of condoms prevents not only unwanted pregnancies but a variety of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.