FabSwingers.com forum: Tampon Tax

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Just reading that the government has refused to remove 5% VAT on sanitary products when us men pay no VAT on razors etc.

Apparently they are not allowed to charge no VAT as the EU says so.

What the bleeding hell has it got to do with the EU? I would tell them to go and poke it right up their ...........

Gareth

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

They should be free in my opinion.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

I don't really care to be honest. If i need them I use them. 5% isn't really that much and I guess women also pay no tax other razors as well so that's not really a gender bias.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The tax on sanitary products argument has been rumbling on for years now with no outcome

If they were free they would probably be a useful as a chocolate teapot and I'd have to spend fortunes on new underwear every month

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If you want to be outraged- look into using withholding sanitaryware in prisons as a form of degradation and control.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"The tax on sanitary products argument has been rumbling on for years now with no outcome

If they were free they would probably be a useful as a chocolate teapot and I'd have to spend fortunes on new underwear every month

Free would probably lead to no research, innovation or design.

However if we were to believe the advertising regarding absorbency then in theory the application of a sanitary product should turn you inside out.

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By *isscheekychopsWoman
over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

I'm not that fussed as I get mine from asda £1 for 16 it's the companies that overprice the product but that's like everything I suppose.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Do they do that in the UK?

I am all for hard prison time but that's just not right!!!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If you want to be outraged- look into using withholding sanitaryware in prisons as a form of degradation and control. "

That's a breach of rights surely?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The tax on sanitary products argument has been rumbling on for years now with no outcome

If they were free they would probably be a useful as a chocolate teapot and I'd have to spend fortunes on new underwear every month

Free would probably lead to no research, innovation or design.

However if we were to believe the advertising regarding absorbency then in theory the application of a sanitary product should turn you inside out.

no more research required - i reckon the tampon is pretty much as good as it gets

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By *hole Lotta RosieWoman
over a year ago

Deviant City

I wasn't even aware that there was such a tax in existence

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I wasn't even aware that there was such a tax in existence

Me either tbh!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I think it's a gender tax. Seems highly unfair to me.

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By *LCCCouple
over a year ago

Cambridge

They can reduce it to 0% if all EU member states agree. As all EU member states have women, it shouldn't be too hard.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"They can reduce it to 0% if all EU member states agree. As all EU member states have women, it shouldn't be too hard. "

Angela Merkel might require a medical exam to prove it

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By *arry247Couple
over a year ago

Wakefield

It is one of the many EU taxes that puts the cost of living up for everyone

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By *uietlyKinkyUsCouple
over a year ago

midlands

I use beppy and they are expensive but I like them. I also use the new always. The cheap ones drive me barmy and feel awful. Research has been done and needs to be done, I don't fancy ts. I'm also impressed with the new always, much less 'plastic nappy'.

It's personal preference though as my daughter uses different brands.

I could buy the cheaper ones but I choose the more expensive stuff for comfort, tax or not.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I use beppy and they are expensive but I like them. I also use the new always. The cheap ones drive me barmy and feel awful. Research has been done and needs to be done, I don't fancy ts. I'm also impressed with the new always, much less 'plastic nappy'.

It's personal preference though as my daughter uses different brands.

I could buy the cheaper ones but I choose the more expensive stuff for comfort, tax or not. "

And that's why they can't be free and there has to be competition and choice.

But more expensive minus the 5% is obviously cheaper.

If I was a woman I would be outraged by this. As a bloke I am not too happy as I used to have to pay for my two daughters products.

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By *uietlyKinkyUsCouple
over a year ago

midlands

It's personal preference though as my daughter uses different brands.

I could buy the cheaper ones but I choose the more expensive stuff for comfort, tax or not.

And that's why they can't be free and there has to be competition and choice.

But more expensive minus the 5% is obviously cheaper.

If I was a woman I would be outraged by this. As a bloke I am not too happy as I used to have to pay for my two daughters products.

Im on my own with 2 daughters and a son. I'm paying tampon tax and for razor's until I die

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

It's personal preference though as my daughter uses different brands.

I could buy the cheaper ones but I choose the more expensive stuff for comfort, tax or not.

And that's why they can't be free and there has to be competition and choice.

But more expensive minus the 5% is obviously cheaper.

If I was a woman I would be outraged by this. As a bloke I am not too happy as I used to have to pay for my two daughters products.

Im on my own with 2 daughters and a son. I'm paying tampon tax and for razor's until I die

Never fear. They grow up and buy their own eventually

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We should all go and bleed on the Governments door step

Not that I do much anymore,but when I did it was like the great flood. I would have to use 3 super duper pads at a time. It wasn't a big deal at the time because I could well afford the £8 odd a month but the principle is there. It's something women don't have a choice to buy,unless they use rags of course.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If you want to be outraged- look into using withholding sanitaryware in prisons as a form of degradation and control. "

Is that an actual fact or one of those urban type myths?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"We should all go and bleed on the Governments door step

Ha. I just looked at your profile pic Destiny Heaven. To quote an old card playing buddy. "I have a hand like a foot".

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's personal preference though as my daughter uses different brands.

I could buy the cheaper ones but I choose the more expensive stuff for comfort, tax or not. "

You use beppy for when your not having sex as well?

I use them when I want sex but not day to day at around 16 quid for 7

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"We should all go and bleed on the Governments door step

Ha. I just looked at your profile pic Destiny Heaven. To quote an old card playing buddy. "I have a hand like a foot".

Nothing wrong with big hands

better than having feet like hands (monkey feet as my daughter calls them).

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By *awnmistMan
over a year ago

Wrexham

women have to pay vat on razors also. Sanitary products were only ever advertised publicly on tv as "early" (sic) as 1987 which was an outrage to all women that it took so long. Were women not allowed to be hygenically clean before then because of your ridiculous westminster "gas-works" parliament? asks he?

And the EU is an essential reforming influence coupled with devolution (to English regions asap one hopes?), electoral reform specifically the STV voting system as well as a long long list of other necessary reforms. No wonder the English flag is rarely seen flying with pride in England.

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By *dam_TinaCouple
over a year ago

Hampshire

If I was a woman I would be outraged by this.

Outraged ?

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By *uietlyKinkyUsCouple
over a year ago

midlands

It's personal preference though as my daughter uses different brands.

I could buy the cheaper ones but I choose the more expensive stuff for comfort, tax or not.

You use beppy for when your not having sex as well?

I use them when I want sex but not day to day at around 16 quid for 7

I use beppy every month. They were actually designed for sport and swimming

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"We should all go and bleed on the Governments door step

Ha. I just looked at your profile pic Destiny Heaven. To quote an old card playing buddy. "I have a hand like a foot".

Nothing wrong with big hands

better than having feet like hands (monkey feet as my daughter calls them)."

I have size 17 monkey feet

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By *uckandbunnyCouple
over a year ago

The Wild Wetness

I used to think Vat was on anything none essential.

But it's on gas and electricity so who knows.

It's not on fresh food (yet).

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By *urvymamaWoman
over a year ago

Doncaster

I haven't met a woman yet that would call having to use them monthly a luxury, they are a necessity, so they shouldn't be taxed. Razors should be taxed, they aren't essential you don't need to shave unless you want to.

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By *uckandbunnyCouple
over a year ago

The Wild Wetness

"women have to pay vat on razors also. Sanitary products were only ever advertised publicly on tv as "early" (sic) as 1987 which was an outrage to all women that it took so long. Were women not allowed to be hygenically clean before then because of your ridiculous westminster "gas-works" parliament? asks he?

WTF?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I use a mooncup so this doesn't affect me. But I do think it's unfair as it's hardly a luxury to require sanitary protection

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By *uckandbunnyCouple
over a year ago

The Wild Wetness

"I haven't met a woman yet that would call having to use them monthly a luxury, they are a necessity, so they shouldn't be taxed. Razors should be taxed, they aren't essential you don't need to shave unless you want to.

I'd say hygiene wise could be argued both ways.

Although you could say only a basics razor need apply.

I'm out of my league on this one, but does it apply to sanitary pads, or are they except and so they judge if there is one product that does the job they will not apply it to all.

Not saying it's right, just trying to understand why they would put Vat on one and not the other.

Also if they have to levy a vat rate, why not use 0.01%?

Or does the EU prescribe a minimum level?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

One of the pleasures of being old, no tax for me

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By *ratty_DamselWoman
over a year ago

New Cross

"If you want to be outraged- look into using withholding sanitaryware in prisons as a form of degradation and control. "

Or the fact that homeless hostels cannot afford to purchase sanitary ware due to the tax.

Really is out of order. This is not a luxuary

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By *LCCCouple
over a year ago

Cambridge

"I used to think Vat was on anything none essential.

But it's on gas and electricity so who knows.

It's not on fresh food (yet). "

Well we have one of the strangest tax systems in the world. Pay VAT on cakes, because they are a luxury, but biscuits are essential. No tax on boots, because you need those for working, but shoes?! A sissy luxury, tax 'em! No VAT on milk, but add a flavouring and call it a milkshake? TAX! Children's clothes, essential, no tax. Adults clothing? Luxury, is they were hard enough (

) they would walk around in the nude!

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By *hole Lotta RosieWoman
over a year ago

Deviant City

I wasn't aware of the tax, so I'm not fussed.

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By *uckandbunnyCouple
over a year ago

The Wild Wetness

"I used to think Vat was on anything none essential.

But it's on gas and electricity so who knows.

It's not on fresh food (yet).

) they would walk around in the nude! "

That Should cheer any wannabe naturists.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I used to think Vat was on anything none essential.

But it's on gas and electricity so who knows.

It's not on fresh food (yet). "

The reason VAT is charged on fuel is because not all fuel is essential ... Heating and lighting is but what about the fuel that powers your tv and your xbox ... Its impossible to determine which is which so its charged on it all at the lower rate of 5%

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I use a mooncup so this doesn't affect me. But I do think it's unfair as it's hardly a luxury to require sanitary protection

Also as much as i dont fancy using a mooncup its an option to avoid the disposable items and therefore the tax ... Meaning they are not fully essential and thats why they can tax ... But bevause its not quite cut and dry essential or non essential again that why is in the lower bracket .... Actually i cant understand why razors arent in there too as its not really essentially to be neatly groomed ... Only to be clean x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I used to think Vat was on anything none essential.

But it's on gas and electricity so who knows.

It's not on fresh food (yet).

) they would walk around in the nude! "

Wrong way around cakes are tax free biscuits are the luxury.

Jaffa cakes had to fight a court cause rover it lol

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By *annooWoman
over a year ago

Hastings

I agree with this and unfortunately have had months where I've bled for weeks more than I shouldve done so it took all my spare money to pay for the extra packs I was going through.

I do think eu are deluded if they think these a non essential...however if all women stopped buying them and made their own (like in the old days with tissue/paper/old tights and cloth)that would be the only way to make a point

Was recently in Australia and they are also fighting the same fight to get tax removed so it isn't jst about the EU...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I agree with this and unfortunately have had months where I've bled for weeks more than I shouldve done so it took all my spare money to pay for the extra packs I was going through.

Was recently in Australia and they are also fighting the same fight to get tax removed so it isn't jst about the EU..."

All your spare money? You can buy them from lidl and aldi for a pound or so ... I think people are being a bit dramatic about a 5% tax ... We are talking about it adding on 5-15p a pack realistically

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I would tell them to go and poke it right up their ...........

Gareth"

.....bloody cockhole?

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"Just reading that the government has refused to remove 5% VAT on sanitary products when us men pay no VAT on razors etc.

Apparently they are not allowed to charge no VAT as the EU says so.

What the bleeding hell has it got to do with the EU? I would tell them to go and poke it right up their ...........

Gareth"

not quite true... the it makes for good headlines....

the debate last night was actually on an amendment to the EU referendum bill making it a statitory requirement that it was one of the things that had to be discussed in the renegoiation making it a red line topic

the govt position is there are probably better and wiser ways of approaching the subject that to make it a critical part of the in/out referendum

anyway, being a political gonk, it was a fun debate to watch... if you see the exchange between my political crush, stella creasy... and old tory fuddy duddy bill cash... it was a brilliant watch and really funny

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By *annooWoman
over a year ago

Hastings

I agree with this and unfortunately have had months where I've bled for weeks more than I shouldve done so it took all my spare money to pay for the extra packs I was going through.

Was recently in Australia and they are also fighting the same fight to get tax removed so it isn't jst about the EU...

All your spare money? You can buy them from lidl and aldi for a pound or so ... I think people are being a bit dramatic about a 5% tax ... We are talking about it adding on 5-15p a pack realistically "

Yes spare money I was going through a pack every coyote of days and I was bleeding for nearly a while month... After bills I'm lucky if I have £10 to myself for the month...

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By *urvymamaWoman
over a year ago

Doncaster

Don't mind me, just chilling with my LUXURY ITEMS! Don't worry though, if I ever can't afford them I'll just decide to stop having my period. Since, you know, I don't NEED sanitary items. I know what you're thinking, £1.50 doesn't seem like a lot, but let's do the maths, shall we?

Women are advised to change sanitary products at a MAXIMUM every 4 hours. 24/4=6, that's a minimum of 6 pads/tampons a day - some people change them more frequently as they have heavier periods, but we'll call that the average. So, on average, 6 pads/tampons a day, based on a pack of 12 for £1.50. It will last max 2 days. The average period lasts around 5 days. That's 30 pads or tampons, which remember, is AT A MINUMUM. This costs around £3.75 per period (Don't forget that this is just a genetic brand, others will be more expensive so we're still saying minimum). We have to pay this every month. 3.75x12=45. £45 a year on sanitary items. So how much in a lifetime?

On average, Women will have their period between 12 and 51. That's 39 years, which is an average. 39x45=1755. So at a MINIMUM people with vaginas will spend £1,755 on a product for a bodily function WE CANNOT HELP!!! So what do we do? Do we just free bleed when we can't afford it? Nope, because then people will complain that we're unsanitary - you won't see anyone calling them a luxury when we're bleeding all over the place.

Why is it that the vote on the tampon tax is left to a parliament full of people who will mostly never experience it? Where is our vote on this?

Basic sanitation is literally a human right. People who live in poverty are currently being denied this right because sanitary products are still being unnecessarily taxed. This is fucking madness that in this day and age, we are essentially being taxed for having vaginas.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Ok but thats the price of the product ... The tax is 5% so only around £88 over your whole lifetime ... In comparison even at the lowest rate of NIC you will have paid more than that in just over half a year

Im just making the point that in context its a low amount compared with other taxes but it seems to be a huge story because it can be labelled as a gender tax which sells papers

Ps incase people hadnt noticed my avatar ... I am also a woman

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By *uietlyKinkyUsCouple
over a year ago

midlands

My thinking was (could be wrong) that it's not just tampax though, breastfeeding pads and the like also come into that category.

I breast fed and used more breastfeeding pads with each kid, than the combined life time total of tampax.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

This has got too be one of the stupidest Taxes ever imposed.......

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Just reading that the government has refused to remove 5% VAT on sanitary products when us men pay no VAT on razors etc.

Apparently they are not allowed to charge no VAT as the EU says so.

What the bleeding hell has it got to do with the EU? I would tell them to go and poke it right up their ...........

If they were free they'd be like a nappy Like free condoms horrid

Gareth"

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