West Hollywood : Store Condom Displays Urged

Supermarket and drugstore owners in West Hollywood soon will receive letters from city offices asking their cooperation in displaying condoms in unlocked, easily accessible areas.

“We want to make sure that condoms are available to everyone who needs them,” said Councilman John Heilman who, along with Councilwoman Abbe Land, brought the proposal before the full council.

Citing the spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome and other sexually transmitted diseases, the council voted to begin the letter-writing campaign and to work with the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in an effort to find businesses willing to install condom dispensing machines on their property.

A study of West Hollywood’s major supermarkets found that only Safeway offered an easily accessible supply of condoms. Other stores, including Carls and Alpha Beta, sold condoms but kept them in a locked area.