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"Condoms. Unrolled condoms hanging on a line. A smiley face has been placed in each condom as an amusing novelty. The condom is a contraceptive device, & a protective measure against sexually transmitted diseases. It is a rubber sheath which is unrolled over the erect penis prior to sexual intercourse. It prevents sperm entering the vagina (and possibly causing pregnancy) by trapping ejaculate in the teat at the end of the condom. It also protects against sexually transmitted dis- ease, including HIV, the virus causing AIDS. The use of condoms constitutes one of the practices of \safe sex\"", that is, sexual activity modified so as to minimise the risk of contracting AIDS.""" (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CC STUDIO)