To not understand the issue with 'tampon tax'?

[QuackPorridgeBacon]

Here me out. I will admit I don't understand it much and any insight would be great. I don't see an issue with a tax though.

I understand that things like razors and alcohol jellies (?) aren't taxed and I can see why that is annoying. We also don't choose to have periods so I get that argument too. Aren't they nasty to dispose of though? Wouldn't the tax just be paying those who are sorting through it all and disposing of it appropriately? Or am I being seriously thick?

I know I could go and do a google search and probably find answers but honestly, I'd rather ask on here as I'm lazy.

[HoneyIshrunktheBiscuit]

quack but the non disposable products are also taxed. So your argument isn't there.

[Nuttynoo]

Sanitary towels were the reason why women world wide could be educated and go to work. Go to India OP and see what happens to girls' educations when they have to take a week off every month to manage their periods (often the rags are so insufficient they have no choice but to stay at home because of the stains).

[QuackPorridgeBacon]

grand fair point I'm also very heavy and have found a pad that is disposable and I don't react to (I'm allergic or at least take a reaction to a lot especially the perfumed ones) so I understand that but still didn't use tampons.

I've already answered why I thought they were 'luxury'.

[QuackPorridgeBacon]

really I know we don't. I don't shave much at all just my bottom legs if I'm wearing cropped jeans or something. Maybe my armpits when I'm wearing a vest top. Don't want to add to my anxiety with extra hair.

[HoneyIshrunktheBiscuit]

Are you being deliberately obtuse?

[Justanotherlurker]

VAT is used for the benefit of all - men and women. If Sanitary VAT was just used on women it might make it okay, but men benefit from it.

George Osborn said that he couldn't remove the reduced tax on Tampons and said that the tax would be used on Women's charities.

I cannot believe this is still an issue, its become a meme at this point.

[abbsisspartacus]

They are only classed as luxury because it's the lowest tax there is

[QuackPorridgeBacon]

I see. Maybe the tax could come off the non-disposable products then. Would that make people feel better?

[AlmostAJillSandwich]

The ones i get are two packs of 8 for £1. I dont need them for periods since i got the implant but i have ibs and an over sensitive bladder and am paranoid about accidents, plus my natural secretion of discharge requires i wear something. I cant say saving 5p will make any difference as i tend to put all coppers and 5ps in donation buckets as i hate small denomination change.
Decent sanitary products can be obtained cheaply, i feel more robbed that some brands charge £4 for some shitty scented, flowery patterned, awfully designed crap that isnt as good as a pack that you can get for an 8th of the price. Seriously, WHY do they make weird shaped cores of the proper absorbent stuff in weird heart shaped at one end, skinny in the middle where you need it most, and only decent coverage at the back? Why not just have a decent core the same size as the whole bloody pad?!
The flower/butterfly etc patterns they print on them creep me out, its pointless and just adds more chemicals and looks sinister when covered in blood.

[LuckyLuckyMe]

You explained why you think tampons are a luxury OP. I do not think they are a luxury. Why are they thought as such by the EU?

[QuackPorridgeBacon]

abb that makes sense I think.

I'm sorry that I've offended so many by not understanding it all. I'll get the thread deleted and just google and won't ask questions to learn. I do a lot of googling I just wanted actual opinions and information from people this time. Sorry.

[Nuttynoo]

George Osborne also promised he'd abolish sanitary tax. Neither plan has come to fruitation.

[feelingblue123]

I personally think that basic tampons, pads and a menstrual cup of choice should be available on the NHS free of charge. Period poverty is the most horrific thing imaginable.

Yes maybe fancy pads/tampons etc should be chargable, but definitely no tax - having a period is not a luxury.

[QuackPorridgeBacon]

Almost I agree I hate the 'pretty' looking Ines I want one with the least chemicals andthat does the job. I like Kotex on a broke day as they are big and chunky and I feel safe wearing them they are also the same thickness the whole way. I also like always infinity, a bit more expensive but I've never leaked which is amazing for me as I usually wake up and flood the bed they aren't scented and are so comfortable.

[Regularsizedrudy]

Op people aren't saying men are sexist because of the tax; They are saying the tax is sexist, and something doesn't have to be done on purpose or with malice to be sexist. I don't use disposable sanitary products but I still think it's awful to class them as a luxury as there are women who can't afford them and certainly can't afford the environmental friendly alternative. Google period poverty. There are girls who miss school because they can't access any kind of sanitary products.

[QuackPorridgeBacon]

That sounds great feeling I would totally agree with that, can the NHS manage that though? Maybe use the tax of the 'fancy' products to pay for cheaper standard free ones on the NHS?

[Justanotherlurker]

George Osborne also promised he'd abolish sanitary tax. Neither plan has come to fruitation.


He came out and said why he couldn't and there were many articles to prove he couldn't do so.... which is because it would need to go the EU and get 28 states to ratify .... jeez

It really is nothing more than a meme at this point

[Booboobooboo84]

All sanitary products are taxed not just disposables so yes they are all classed as a luxury.

Just because it's a sexist tax doesn't make it the fault of men. It's sexist because it's discriminates against women. Women can discriminate against women just as much as men do. And vice versa.

Just because there isn't anything that is specific for men doesn't mean women shouldn't be unhappy at the tax that's a crazy rationale imho. Having a period isn't an option therefore value added tax shouldn't be applied.

[Slimthistime]

OP seriously?!

And how do you expect a woman on a 12 hour shift with a commute to manage a reusable pad? I'm just supposed to carry five or six used ones in my handbag? Yes, I did have heavy periods before I went on the pill.

How did we get to a point where an adult woman can't see the issue here? Though you also thought someone sorted through them so perhaps you are not representative....

[CloudPerson]

Non disposable products tend to be very expensive at the point of purchase, which would exclude many people from affording them, there's also the issue that you may spend £££s to find a brand that suits you (I spent nearly £60 trying to find washable pads that could cope with my periods, and failed, now use tena pads which are even more expensive).

In no way should any pads or tampons, disposable or otherwise, be taxed, they are essential items.

[Slimthistime]

I think the thread should stay as it would be helpful for anyone else googling this.

[Toadinthehole]

I understand that Ireland got round three EU regulation simply by excluding the sale of sanitary products from tax.

[QuackPorridgeBacon]

There really is no need to have a go at me. This is why people stay in the unknown. You ask questions to try and better your understanding and you get shit thrown at you.

I am sorry that as an adult I am not well versed in everything in life I am sorry that I don't know or u derstand everything I really am. I thought asking questions would help to resolve that and now I just feel a fool.

[Theresnonamesleft]

Average period I go through 84 pads and around 60 Tampax a month. And that's with medication that I have to pay for which is another £17.98 a month.
If I didn't use anything I would be on the toilet permanently.

In hindsight I could maybe use disposable. But I would need a huge bag to carry around with me every day (I always have a stash of tampax and pads in my locker at work). Then of course these would be heavy carry back.
Then the smell and the other crap that leaves my body I am prepared to deal with this. Wrap and chuck.
So hyperthetically I've dragged back lots of reusable there's then the additional expense of washing - powder, water, energy.

So explain how making my life easier is a luxury? Explain how allowing me freedom from the toilet is luxury. good for you, you can use towels and be done with it. We are all designed differently. And anything that makes our menstration just that bit easier shouldn't be deemed as a luxury.

[Dwts]

VAT is a general consumption tax, so there's nothing in the rules about essentials (look at the number of countries which have it in all foodstuffs) and it is most definitely not a luxury tax.

That's very interesting.