CNN —
Young people under the age of 26 are now getting free condoms in French pharmacies as part of what French President Emmanuel Macron has described as “a small revolution in healthcare”.
The new health strategy, aimed at curbing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among young people in France, came into effect on New Year’s Day and was announced by Macron in December. It was initially aimed at people between the ages of 18 and 25, but later expanded to include minors.
Emergency contraception will also be available free of charge to all women without a prescription from January 1, according to a tweet by government spokesman Olivier Veran on Monday.
Since January 1, 2022, French women under the age of 26 have already had access to free contraception. This included consultations with doctors or midwives and medical procedures related to their chosen contraceptive.
The latest measures come as health officials estimate the rate of sexually transmitted diseases in France rose by about 30% in 2020 and 2021, Portal news agency reported.
“It’s a small revolution in healthcare. It’s important that our young people protect themselves during sex,” Macron said said In December.