MEDIA RELEASE 11 September 2007

Socially responsible bars in Tauranga

Toi Te Ora – Public Health is working with Tauranga bars and a local condom vending machine company to help increase youth access to condoms.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in New Zealand and in the Bay of Plenty are on the rise and recent data suggests there may be a high incidence of Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia in the general population. The most common risk factors for acquiring Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia were under the age of 25 and being of Maori or Pacific ethnicity. Consistent condom usage was found to lower the risk of acquiring both of these infections.

In an effort to increase youth access to condoms Toi Te Ora – Public Health have been working on a ‘Condoms in Bars’ project. “It is expected that increasing the number of bars with condom vending machines will lead to young people being more likely to use them” says Vicky Apisai, Health Promoter, Toi Te Ora – Public Health. “One of the objectives of this project is to develop an understanding of bars most frequented by young people and advocate the installation of condom vending machines in those that don’t currently have them”.

Vicky has been working with The Colosseum, a bar located in Tauranga’s Central Business District, who she says “have been very proactive when it comes to host responsibility”. “Hamish Betteridge, owner of the Colosseum, has taken a proactive approach to youth sexual health in Tauranga by installing condom vending machines in both the female and male toilets”.

Bernard Hines of Saxon Vending Limited installs and maintains the condom vending machines within the Bay of Plenty and says “approximately 25% of bars in Tauranga have condom vending machines installed. Unfortunately many bars don’t realise they do not cost them anything. All they have to do is authorise the installation and I take care of the rest. And it’s an opportunity for them to be socially responsible”.

Toi Te Ora – Public Health hope to see positive outcomes from the project, such as recommendations advocating for vending machines to be put in premises frequented by youth, advocating for safe sex messages to be included in premises’ host responsibility policies, and advocating for best practice regarding the provision of condoms in bars.

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