Condoms and STD tests in France will be made freely available via pharmacies for those 18 to 25 years old, beginning in January of 2023.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the new policy which hopes to fight a rise in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Macron also agreed to expand the programme to minors after being challenged over why they were also not included during his announcement.

He later affirmed the decision tweeting: “A lot of minors also have sex … they need to protect themselves too.”

According to french health authorities the number of STDs in France increased by 30% in both 2020 and 2021.