# How widespread were/are condom or Tampax vending machines in the US? Other countries had/have them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 11, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604 "2018-02-11T00:49:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/1 "2018-02-11T00:49:05Z")
See queries. Not only chronologically–I don’t even know when Tampax (or equivalent) was invented, but where do you see them nowadays? Me, no clue about female points-of-sale, but I’ve seen them in movies. I’m sure the number of condom machines in public bathrooms is much lower than it used to be. In my mind they’re associated with highway gasoline station restrooms and lower-rent bars, but I don’t drive and my social life is pretty limited now. And of course sanitary aids for menstruation and prophylactics occupy different scales of need, so to speak, so the places for the machines have different social issues. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/2 "2018-02-11T02:04:28Z")
While driving across the US in 1959 with family(I was 15), noticed gas stations in Nevada had condom machines(for prevention of disease only!) in the men’s room. There was also slot machines in the restroom. Fascinating to this city kid. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/3 "2018-02-11T02:06:23Z")
Condom vending machines are still pretty common in men’s rooms in gas stations, truckstops, and bars / clubs. I rarely, if ever, see them in any other locations. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/4 "2018-02-11T02:13:21Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > While driving across the US in 1959 with family(I was 15), noticed gas stations in Nevada had condom machines(for prevention of disease only!) in the men’s room. I used to see them regularly in the 1960s and 1970s in various states, as you say mostly in gas stations and truck stops. Back in those days condoms could be bought in drugstores but weren’t on open display. You had to ask the pharmacist for them. So for a kid that was too embarrassed to ask for them, the machines were the easiest place to get them. ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/5 "2018-02-11T02:19:33Z")
I don’t see many tampon/napkin machines anymore. Usually, the ones I do have been vandalized to the point the establishments don’t stock them anymore. The exception is a few of the restrooms in our two local hospitals. The only condom machine I’ve seen is outside the restrooms at a local family-oriented pub downtown. Perhaps I’ve seen others waaay back in the day but I honestly can’t remember. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/6 "2018-02-11T02:22:40Z")
In about the 60s, there was a condom vending machine in virtually every men’s public bathroom in the USA. There were vendors who installed them, and the owner of the public establishment had nothing to lose and a small commission to gain, so it was hard to find a restroom that didn’t have one. Seems like its been a really, really long time since I’v e seen one. Maybe there were only a few vendors, and it was not a profitable proposition, so they all went broke. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/7 "2018-02-11T02:59:25Z")
I was just thinking the other day that I hadn’t seen a condom vending machine in a men’s room in a long time. I used to see them in bars and gas stations pretty often. But now that you can get trusted brands in the grocery store or drug store so easily, I guess the demand for condoms of questionable origin in gas stations has dwindled. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/8 "2018-02-11T03:30:25Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In about the 60s, there was a condom vending machine in virtually every men’s public bathroom in the USA. Absolutely not true. Depended on where you lived and what socioeconomic gas station was in your neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/9 "2018-02-11T04:33:53Z")
I saw them in dance clubs in Dundalk (Ireland) in '83, multiple locations in Spain in the '80s and '90s; some locations had condoms in the women’s section but it was unusual. Nowadays I see those vending machines in the bathrooms of highway rest areas but only if their general store doesn’t have a hygiene section. I think we’ve managed to strengthen our men to the point where the vision of a bightly-colored plastic pack that says EVAX doesn’t make them faint dead any more. That, or they don’t even know what the heck EVAX stands for, which might be. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/10 "2018-02-11T05:36:54Z")
How about machines that dispense packs of cigarettes and/or (more controversially) sterile syringes and needles? If I had to guess, it would be that those are rarer nowadays than the “good” machines selling condoms, sanitary napkins, and sunblock lotion. ETA the condom machines sometimes have female condoms as well ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/11 "2018-02-11T09:58:06Z")
My observation in the UK is that these vending machines are only found in places with some kind of security. A machine loaded with coins on a lavatory wall is just too tempting for many men, especially if they are drunk. There is now pressure around the world to put them [free] in High Schools; partly to prevent STD’s and partly in the hope of reducing teenage pregnancy. > **[New call for condom machines in schools](https://www.thelocal.fr/20130405/calls-for-condom-machines-in-schools-to-fight-aids)** > > The head of a French charity fighting Aids has called on the government to install free condom machines in schools to help prevent the spread of the disease. The government also announced it will authorize the use of home HIV test kits. > **[Condoms could soon be available in school toilets to fight chlamydia](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2964601/It-s-common-cold-genitals-300-000-Australians-live-chlamydia-s-estimated-quarter-know-it.html)** > > It's the sexually transmitted infection that is so prevalent it is known as 'the common cold of the genitals'. However new research has found that only a quarter of people realise they are infected. > **[Catholic church anger over school condom vending machine](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7421385/Catholic-church-anger-over-school-condom-vending-machine.html)** > > A Rome high school has incurred the ire of the Catholic Church after its decision to install condom-vending machines for students. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/12 "2018-02-11T10:24:51Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > My observation in the UK is that these vending machines are only found in places with some kind of security. A machine loaded with coins on a lavatory wall is just too tempting for many men, especially if they are drunk. My impression is that that most pubs around here have them, though the smarter the premises, the more likely it is to be working and stocked. I’ve seen them in restaurants and hotels, too. There’s a machine in the gent’s of my local supermarket that sells condoms, lube, “performance enhancement” pills, and vibrating cock rings. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/13 "2018-02-11T18:00:44Z")
A little off topic, but has anyone seen a cologne dispenser recently? I’m talking about the type where you insert a coin, push a plunger and get a schpritz of Brut or somesuch (they usually had three brands, one of which was always Brut). Being somewhat late to the party it took me a while to realize that the cologne dispenser was there to boost the chances of using the condom you just purchased from the next machine over. Or at least take your money in the hopes of making it so. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/14 "2018-02-11T23:49:42Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Absolutely not true. Depended on where you lived and what socioeconomic gas station was in your neighborhood. In the 60s I drove through 48 sates, and my observations were not restricted to Eddies Mobilgas station down the street from me. It is not a good idea to tell people reporting what they observed is ABSOLOUTELY NOT TRUE. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/15 "2018-02-12T00:33:25Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > How about machines that dispense packs of cigarettes and/or (more controversially) sterile syringes and needles? > > If I had to guess, it would be that those are rarer nowadays than the “good” machines selling condoms, sanitary napkins, and sunblock lotion. > > ETA the condom machines sometimes have female condoms as well Cigarette vending machines have been banned outright in many countries. In other places, including the U.S., they are only permitted in places in which minors are prohibited from entering. > **[Cigarette machine | Bans and restrictions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette_machine#Bans_and_restrictions)** > > In order to aid the restriction of sale of tobacco to minors, cigarette machines are regulated in many countries. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/16 "2018-02-12T00:45:39Z")
Machines in restrooms are too easily vandalized and stolen from. Nowadays, your local convenience store is likely to have those items out front along with the $3, two pill ibuprofin packs, chapstick and Nyquil. Also, with the profusion of CVS, Walgreen and other chain stores, it’s just too easy to get for a local store to stock stuff likely to age-out on it’s shelves. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/17 "2018-02-12T02:12:13Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In the 60s I drove through 48 sates, and my observations were not restricted to Eddies Mobilgas station down the street from me. It is not a good idea to tell people reporting what they observed is ABSOLOUTELY NOT TRUE. I did a good bit of traveling around the country in the 60s and early 70s, and it certainly isn’t true that there was a condom machine in “virtually every public men’s bathroom in the US.” Many public bathrooms lacked them, and in my experience seeing one was the exception rather than the rule. Your “observation” is contradicted by my observation. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/18 "2018-02-12T02:48:47Z")
I see condoms and tissue paper packets for sale in men’s room vending machines in Korea, mainly at train stations and shopping centers, less commonly in bars. I don’t recall seeing them in China, but convenience stores that carry them are ubiquitous in both countries. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/19 "2018-02-12T06:12:15Z")
I’ve seen condom vending machines on streets in France in the past few years. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604/20 "2018-02-12T19:46:23Z")
In the 60s I saw them only rarely in mens’ rooms but the rest room at local drive-in had one, and a cologne spritzer, too. In 1980 my girl and I saw [_Little Darlings_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081060/reference) and there was a scene where the gang of girls who having the contest went into a gas station mens’ room at a to attack a condom vendor, winding up with the while thing coming off of the wall allowing them to haul it off and bash it open at their leisure. There was no dialog in the scene and no close-ups of the machine’s labels when it was intact so my GF asked, “What on earth is that?” I looked at her a moment. “I guess you got only Kotex machines in your bathrooms; it’s for condoms.” A moment later the machine spilled its guts and they gleefully made off with handsful of wrapped rubbers, including an eight-old who blew one up like a balloon. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-widespread-were-are-condom-or-tampax-vending-machines-in-the-us-other-countries-had-have-them/808604.md?page=2)