12-year-old boys in Switzerland now have their own condoms to fit them snugly. At £4.70 for a packet of six, it is meant to help the guys.

• Research head Nancy Bodmer said, “The result that shocked us concerned young boys who display apparently risky behaviour. They have more of a tendency not to protect themselves. They do not have a very developed sexual knowledge. They do not understand the consequences of what they are doing and leave the young girls to take care of the consequences. The results of this study suggest that early prevention makes sense.”

Although the length of the condoms is the same as a standard one, the diameter is 4.5 cm unlike the 5.2 cm for adult ones. At 12, most boys are experimenting. Peer pressure makes them look for adventure. They would hardly be in a position to waste money on condoms. However, the fact that the Swiss government has come forth and publicly marketed these will give the young boys an incentive to justify their act. It is quite common in the West to start dating at a fairly young age. It helps the teens – both male and female – feel all grown up.

There are two problems here. Would boys who want to be men even consider using a condom that is small in size? Would that not act as a dampener to their ego? Would the girls they are taking out be happy with their sexual knowledge of protection? The onus being on the boys is not only unfair but leaves the girls out of the decision making process. This is initiating a macho notion of the man in charge of sexual matters and protection at a young age.

And what is the reason behind naming the product Hotshot? Is the chap expected to be a whiz just wearing that thing, and how important is it to initiate such ideas in a vulnerable mind?