The VAT rate on condoms has been cut from 21 per cent to 13.5 per cent in today's Finance Bill.
Pharmacists welcomed the announcement by Tanaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen.
Darragh O'Loughlin, a Galway-based pharmacist and chairman of the Irish Pharmacy Union's community pharmacy committee said: "By reducing the VAT rate and making condoms more affordable, the Government is encouraging people to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies."
"We would now call on the Government to reduce the VAT rate on all medicines that are taxed at the rate of 21 per cent. These are not luxuries; they are absolute essentials.
Labour Youth also welcomed Mr Cowen's move.
National chairman Enda Duffy said, however, it does not go far enough.
"Under EU regulations a VAT rate as low as 5 per cent is permissible on contraception. It is deplorable that the government is still taxing safer sex at rate higher than required by the EU. The government also needs to increase the supply of free contraception to target groups including young people and students," he said.
Mr Duffy called on condom vendors to pass on the VAT cut directly to consumers.