#tampontax : soon 5.5% VAT on sanitary protection ?

#tampontax : soon 5.5% VAT on sanitary protection ?


Way of consumption

From London to Canberra, passing by Paris and Ottawa, consumer associations have begun protest campaigns to reduce the tax applied to sanitary towels, tampons, menstrual cups and other sanitary protection.

"The tampon sticks in your throat (and wallet)!"

This was the closing phrase on the recent online petition on Change.org, by the Georgette Sand collective, grouping French consumers furious in having to pay sanitary protection (tampons, menstrual cups, towels...) at inflated prices. Whilst some everyday products, or basic necessities, benefit from advantageous taxes, tampons are taxed as high as some luxury products. 

In France, VAT on basic products, such as books or condoms, is fixed at 5.5% to improve access to products considered to be necessities. But far from being essential, other items benefit from this reduced tax for other reasons. Amongst privileged products at 5.5%, we find truffles, foie gras, sodas, sales of works of art, fresh patisseries, ice cream and filled chocolate bites. However, sanitary protection is taxed at 20%, a difference which doesn't go unnoticed on the till receipt.

Since 2000, in the UK, the government taxes all sanitary products at 5% after years of taxation at 17.5%. However, "edible sugar flowers, alcoholic jellies and exotic meats including kangaroo and crocodile" are exempt from tax, notes the Change petition launched in the UK.

It is the same thing in Canada. Tampons and towels are treated as luxury produits. The Canadian petition includes a non-exhaustive list of tax-exempt products. We can find human sperm, wedding cakes and cocktail cherries. And to complete this rapid world tour of protests under the hashtag #tampontax, Australia has its own petition pointing the finger at this practice of taxing products that are necessary and essential for women. All these petitions will be sent to the respective governments, in the hope of a rapid change in VAT rates."

News written by the team of The-shops.co.uk The-Shops.co.uk

News in the same category

Palcohol: strong alcohol in powder form soon on sale in the USA?

Palcohol: strong alcohol in powder form soon on sale in the USA?

Transforming water into vodka or rum is not a miracle with the "Palcohol" powders from "Lipsmark" soon to be sold in the USA. Another company, Pat's Backcountry Beverages sells beer in sachets.

  • Way of consumption
  • New Products
Berlin: gastronomic cuisine for cats and dogs

Berlin: gastronomic cuisine for cats and dogs

Berlin has just welcomed the first luxury grocery store exclusively for cats and dogs, with ready meals, grilled meat and small cakes. Newly arrived in Germany, this concept is now being developed in the United States.

  • Shop
  • Food/Health
  • Way of consumption
Nestlé hires 1,000 robots to sell its coffee machines

Nestlé hires 1,000 robots to sell its coffee machines

Before the end of 2015, Nestlé Japan plans to install humanoid robots, named Pepper, in its stores. Capable of understanding and interacting with humans, they advise clients on the brand's products and coffee machines.

  • New technologies
  • Way of consumption
Casa del Agua puts purified rainwater into bottles

Casa del Agua puts purified rainwater into bottles

At a time when blue gold is already a challenge for many countries, the Casa del Agua bar collects, distills, purifies and re-mineralises Mexico rainwater, in front of the client. Served and sold, it retails at 40 dollars for a 600mL bottle.

  • Food/Health
  • Way of consumption
#tampontax : soon 5.5% VAT on sanitary protection ?