Carry a condom in Columbia or else face a fine

In an attempt to curb AIDS/HIV infections, unwanted teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, the western Columbian town of Tula is considering insisting it's teenagers carry condoms with them.

Local councillor William Pena says people in the town over the age of 14 should carry condoms, as they carry ID cards, or else face a fine.

He says the measure does not force anyone to have sex, but to protect themselves.

The move comes after a poll found that most young men in the community start having sex around 14, and 14 people there died of sexually transmitted diseases last year, an increase of 50% since 2003.

It has angered the powerful Catholic Church with one local priest declaring the scheme akin to "selling guns on the street".

He apparently believes education and respect are needed to restore moral and Christian values.

The scheme, which has yet to be formally proposed, has received a mixed response from officials and from other areas.