Lately everybody seems to be caught in a condom conundrum. Somehow from an octogenarian Pope you wouldn't expect otherwise, but to hear uptight comments from early 20-somethings is quite another thing altogether.

All is not well in Malta's city of knowledge, the very place which is supposed to be nurturing our future minds. At University last week, the final debate of the student's council (KSU) elections was dominated by one single topic: not by the reform of the tertiary education, not by the stipends or importance of research, nor by the concern of graduate employment given the current economic situation, no sir. The one topic which took centre stage was whether or not there should be a condom vending machine on campus.

Here's the gist of the debate: Matthew Mizzi, one of the debaters, said that while he 'personally' agreed with having a condom vending machine on campus he could not agree 'in principle' because he would not be representing all students.

His contender, Karl Grech, said that his party would only consider a condom machine on campus after widespread consultation and after the go-ahead from the government and from KSU's social policy body.

Right. The go-ahead from the government? For a condom machine? Hmmm. While we're at it, how about considering a national referendum on the issue? Unfortunately, both Grech and Mizzi sound like cagey politicians: not wanting to take a stand in case they lose votes.

I wish I could say this news story merits loud guffaws but in reality its reflection of our main student body doesn't raise much of a smile.

It is sad indeed that in 2009 the bright young minds of our island are being uptight and supposedly uncomfortable about having a bunch of condoms at hand. What a load of pretense! As leaders of young people they should be promoting safe sex at every opportunity. I would love to know how many students there are 'in principle' who take offence at the sight of such a vending machine?

I think in Malta we like to pretend to ignore the presence of condoms. Take pharmacies, they are always hidden somewhere behind the counter. We've all been in a pharmacy and heard our neighbouring customer ask for condoms. Why is it that here anything related to sex - we're talking about means to make it safer here - has to be hushed, whispered and tucked away safely in the bottom drawer?

Well. We got the answer on Monday, when The Times carried an opinion piece by self-declared Nationalist 'Catholic politician' Charlo Bonnici, who said: "By giving in to such a demand [the installation of a condom machine on campus], we may also be sending out the message that having sex outside the commitment of marriage is now acceptable and that the State is also giving its blessing."

Since when has the State started giving its blessing or non-blessing on our personal lives? What a truly sanctimonious opinion. May I point out that, erm, condoms are not porn. You don't see a condom machine and go: "Gosh! I really have to have some sex now."

Just as no one will rub their hands in glee and go "Hurrah! We've been given permission!" and then sue the State if things don't go as planned.

And here's an interesting point: The Church opposes the use of any artificial means of contraception which would interfere with the transmission of life within any act of marriage. So if one truly wants to be a total 'Catholic politician' one of course would have to stay away from vending machines even if married.

I think it's about time that we no longer shy away from the fact that in our society everybody, whatever the job and the status, uses condoms. It has nothing to do with promoting promiscuity - it is simply because at the end of the day we are practical. And our intellectual future minds at our University city should really swot hard to catch up with the rest of the society.