A FAKE novelty "condom" that broke while a Cairns man was using it has sparked a safety warning from sexual health workers to stick to the real thing.

With Far Northern cases of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV all on the rise, Cairns Sexual Health Service director Darren Russell yesterday said the risks were too great to settle for cheap imitations.

In fact, he is so worried about the sale of the fakes, which can be bought for $1 from vending machines at most local pubs and clubs, he is hoping they will be banned.

"I don't know why anyone would bother to sell them or use them," Dr Russell said.

"You might as well paint a Mickey Mouse cap on your member for the protection it'll give you."

He said he only learned of the novelties being sold in Cairns two weeks ago when a local man came in with concerns after having one break while he was using it.

Dr Russell has since notified the Therapeutic Goods Administration and is arranging for the items to be tested for compliance with Australian standards.

He has also asked the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the legalities of selling an item that could be easily mistaken for a real condom.

"I'd like to know what sort of recourse there is for someone who used one and got an STD or got pregnant," the doctor said.

Another concern is that the fakes, with names such as French Tickler, are being sold alongside real condoms, often in dimly lit areas.

"Although they have a warning on them that they're strictly a novelty, it's very small and if you're in the dark and had a few drinks, you might not see that," Dr Russell said.

He said real condoms came in all sorts of shapes, sizes and textures, including "with ridges and bumps" to suit every possible need without having to resort to novelties.

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