MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Carnival takes off and Brazilian government hands out millions of condoms

Brazilian health officials have kicked off an AIDS awareness campaign and will hand out 55 million condoms during the annual Carnival festival that begins this weekend.

A new television ad features a talking condom that loudly reminds young people to take him along when they go out to party. Health Minister Jose Temporao said that this year's campaign is focusing on educating young women and young gay men to use protection.

The slogan is: “The condom. For love, passion or just sex. Always use it.”

Last year the government distributed nearly 500 million free condoms throughout Brazil, or an average 2.6 condoms for every citizen. The government hasn't said how many will be handed out this year.

As worldwide numbers of AIDS rise (33 million people live with HIV/AIDS worldwide, with 1.7 million new HIV infections in Latin America in 2007), the message is clear. We can't keep the party going if we don't have the right party favors.