Over a lifetime, period products in the U.S. cost around $6,000 per person, according to a 2021 study. Shockingly, this figure doesn’t even include taxes. In 21 states, items like pads and tampons are subject to a sales tax, adding to the financial burden for menstruating individuals. These findings are based on data from the Alliance for Period Supplies.
The Luxury Tax on Necessities
Unlike certain essential goods such as groceries and prescription medicine, menstrual care products are often classified as “luxury items” in states with a so-called “tampon tax.” These taxes apply not only to tampons but also to various other menstrual care products. It’s worth noting that the so-called “pink tax” refers to instances where products marketed towards women, like razors and deodorants, are priced higher than equivalent products marketed towards men.
Progress and Change
Thankfully, over the past four decades, many states have recognized the need for change and have been enacting laws to eliminate sales tax on menstrual products. The movement began in 1981 when Minnesota became the first state to abolish the tampon tax. Since then, 23 states and Washington, D.C. have followed suit. The most recent state to eliminate the tampon tax is Texas, where it has been phased out since September. In Kentucky, both Republican and Democrat-sponsored bills have been introduced to waive the tampon tax.
The Map: A Visual Guide
To understand which states still impose tampon taxes and which have eliminated them, take a look at the map below. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon don’t have sales tax on any products.
Lacey Gero, director of government relations for the Alliance for Period Supplies, believes that Southeastern states are likely to be influenced by Texas’ progressive legislation. She predicts that more states will follow suit and eliminate tampon taxes in the coming years.
A Public Health Issue
The affordability of period products remains a pressing concern. According to a 2023 survey by underwear brand Thinx and the nonprofit organization PERIOD, roughly a quarter of teens and a third of adults struggle to afford these essential items. The issue is even more pronounced for Black and Latinx individuals compared to their white counterparts.
The consequences of inadequate access to menstrual products extend beyond financial strain. People may be forced to stretch the use of a single product, increasing the risk of infection or even life-threatening conditions like toxic shock syndrome. Many individuals may also miss work or school if they are unable to access proper menstrual care products.
Jhumka Gupta, an associate professor of public health at George Mason University, warns that the inability to afford menstrual products is linked to a higher incidence of depression.
The Way Forward
While progress is being made, there are still obstacles to eliminating the tampon tax nationwide. Some states fear a loss of revenue, especially during tense and stricter budget cycles. In Kentucky, for example, legislators are grappling with decreasing income tax rates. Additionally, some lawmakers question the significance of the tampon tax, particularly those who are unaffected by it.
Kentucky Representative Lisa Willner, a Democrat, has introduced a bill that not only aims to waive the tampon tax but also sets aside $2 million to provide free menstrual products to students in grades 6 through 12. However, the inclusion of this provision may complicate the bill’s passage.
It’s encouraging to see that 25 states and Washington, D.C. have enacted policies to provide period products to students for free. However, not all states allocate funding for this purpose, leaving it up to schools to seek grants or pay for the products themselves. Advocates are now pushing for additional legislation that expressly sets aside funding for schools to provide free period products.
Looking ahead, some states may even consider bills that make period products free in public restrooms. Ann Arbor, Michigan, has already taken this step by passing a bill in 2021.
“We’re just excited that more local-level initiatives are happening because it’s putting pressure on the states to take more action,” says Lacey Gero.
For more information on this topic, visit F5mag.com