Karnataka Bans Selling Condoms And Contraceptives To Minors

The Drugs Control Department of Karnataka announced yesterday that every pharmacy in the state is banned from selling condoms, oral contraceptives and anti-depressants to anyone below the age of 18. This decision has come about after there was a bag checking done in a Bangalore school a couple of weeks back where condoms, contraceptives, cigarettes and whiteners were found.

The Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) had requested the Bangalore schools to check the bags of their students regularly. And during one such time, in November 2022, several bags belonging to students from classes 8, 9 and 10 were found containing mobile devices, condoms, oral contraceptives, cigarettes and whiteners. The parents of the kids were taken aback after knowing and the schools asked them to provide help from outside and gave them leave for 10 days. As the news spread, it shocked netizens as they discussed if such a scenario happened when they were young. Following this incident, many concerned citizens sent out petitions to the Drugs Control Department of Karnatak to take action.

Karnataka Bans Selling Condoms And Contraceptives To Minors

Yesterday the Drugs Control Department of Karnatak issued a diktat banning all pharmacies from selling condoms, oral contraceptives and anti-depressants to minors for the first time.

The drugs Controller of Karnataka, Bhagoji T Khanapure reportedly said, “Technically, the government is promoting condoms to prevent sexually transmitting diseases and also for population control. However, it s not for teens or school kids. Hence, the circular strictly says that medicines should not be sold for underage teens.” A school principal also told the media that she is hopeful that this decision will help curb the number of students indulging in such activities, said, "Firstly, there will be a lot of resistance from the students, especially those studying in higher classes. Secondly, it is next to impossible to check every bag on a routine basis as it will not only delay the entry of students but will also harm the academic environment."

According to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act of 2015 if one is found selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors they might end up facing a jail term of seven years or pay a fine worth rupees one lakh. Buying whiteners is still allowed for minors in India.

After such measurements, one problem that seems to be still relevant is whether such precautions going to help minors or rise their curiosity and rebellious attitude and push the selling of such products outside of pharmacies. Condoms are a product that is essential for safe sex and preventing pregnancies to a certain limit, can this decision lead to more sexually transmitted diseases among kids and teen pregnancies?

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