New York City Hall will soon release a branded official city condom to encourage its use. Currently, the city distributes 1.5 million free condoms monthly in ordinary wrappers.

Plans are in place to implement a distinctive package design for the city's official condom, be it a subway themed one with the lines shown in different colors.

"Brands work, and people use branded items more than they use non- branded items, whether it's a cola or a medicine, even," Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden said.

The city's health department has a condom program in place to combat AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Annually, the city gives 18 million free condoms to hundreds of organizations which is then in turn distributed to health clinics,advocacy groups, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, nail salons and prisons.

The city pays 4 cents for each condom, or $720,000 annually.

City officials added that a trademark package could also help them determine the frequency people use the city's condom.

"If they describe our wrapper, then we'll know that they would have used our condom," Frieden said.

In New York, an estimated 100,000 residents have HIV or AIDS. It is ranked as the third- leading cause of death for under 65 year old New Yorkers.