Aids activists have scored a major blow in their battle for safe sex within the porn industry as the Los Angeles City Council has tentatively approved a law that would require porn actors to wear condoms during film shoots.

The council voted 11-1 in favour of the proposal.

The ordinance, a law passed by a municipal government, still needs a second vote next week for final approval.

Under the ordinance, porn film producers would be required to provide and demand the use of condoms, form actors like Ron Jeremy (above) on set in order to obtain permits to film in the United States’ second-biggest city.

"This long struggle to move us to a place of making Los Angeles a safe place to make adult films has taken a huge leap forward today," said Aids Healthcare foundation president Michael Weinstein, referring to advocacy work and legal attempts to create a mandate for condoms in porn and to enforce it.

The Free Speech Coalition, the porn industry's trade association was unhappy with the decision, criticising what it considers is government interfering in the industry.

"Government regulation of filmmaking would likely undermine existing health and safety efforts and industry standards that are effective, as well as take the government into dangerous new territory," said Diane Duke, coalition executive director.

Duke said there has been no transmission of HIV in the industry in five years.



