A new condom, urging New Yorkers on its wrapper to "get some," will be handed out on street corners Thursday by the city's department of health.

"We want to give away as many condoms as people will use because we're trying to make New York City an even safer place to have sex and this is a powerful way to do it," said Monica Sweeney, the Health Department's assistant commissioner for HIV prevention and control.

The city began making free condoms available in STD clinics in 1971. In 2005, a website that allowed New Yorkers to order free condoms online, increased monthly distribution significantly from 250,000 to 1.5 million.

Last year, the agency branded its condoms with a stylized NYC CONDOM theme, mimicking the city's subway signs. By August 2007, distribution averaged three million condoms per month, according to city health officials. About 900 establishments, including restaurants, bars, health clubs and non-profit groups, offer the free condoms.

The health department estimates that of the city's 8.2 million residents, about 100,000 have HIV or AIDS.

But, the condom campaign has angered some groups, including Roman Catholic leaders who said the promotion encouraged promiscuity.

With files from the Associated Press