Abolish the tampon tax in the 18 remaining states
Abolish the tampon tax in the 18 remaining states
The Issue
As a person deeply invested in the wellbeing of menstruators, I run a nonprofit dedicated to distributing free period products to individuals who simply cannot afford them. Every day, we witness firsthand the struggles faced by countless people trying to manage their menstruation while juggling financial constraints. The tampon tax—a sales tax applied to period products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups—only exacerbates these challenges, making a basic human necessity even less accessible.
Currently, 18 states in the United States still impose this tax, unjustly treating period products as non-essential items. This is not just a financial burden but a clear oversight of equity and justice. States like New York, Illinois, and Florida have already eliminated this tax, recognizing the importance of promoting menstrual equity and reducing the stigma around menstruation.
Menstrual products are not luxury items—they are essential. For the millions of menstruators in these remaining states, access to affordable products is crucial not only for health and hygiene but also for their dignity and participation in daily life. Period poverty is a pervasive issue that extends beyond mere inconvenience; it affects education, workplace attendance, and overall quality of life. A 2019 study by the charitable organization Plan International USA found that one in five American girls have either left school early or missed school entirely because they did not have access to menstrual products.
Abolishing the tampon tax in all states is a critical step towards ensuring fairness and supporting the health needs of those who menstruate. It's time for us to voice a collective call for change to our state governments. Let's urge them to recognize these products as the necessities they are and remove this discriminatory tax burden.
Please, join me in this vital campaign to eliminate the tampon tax in the 18 remaining states. Sign this petition to help create a more equitable society and ensure that no one has to face additional barriers simply because they menstruate. Together, we can make a difference.
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The Issue
As a person deeply invested in the wellbeing of menstruators, I run a nonprofit dedicated to distributing free period products to individuals who simply cannot afford them. Every day, we witness firsthand the struggles faced by countless people trying to manage their menstruation while juggling financial constraints. The tampon tax—a sales tax applied to period products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups—only exacerbates these challenges, making a basic human necessity even less accessible.
Currently, 18 states in the United States still impose this tax, unjustly treating period products as non-essential items. This is not just a financial burden but a clear oversight of equity and justice. States like New York, Illinois, and Florida have already eliminated this tax, recognizing the importance of promoting menstrual equity and reducing the stigma around menstruation.
Menstrual products are not luxury items—they are essential. For the millions of menstruators in these remaining states, access to affordable products is crucial not only for health and hygiene but also for their dignity and participation in daily life. Period poverty is a pervasive issue that extends beyond mere inconvenience; it affects education, workplace attendance, and overall quality of life. A 2019 study by the charitable organization Plan International USA found that one in five American girls have either left school early or missed school entirely because they did not have access to menstrual products.
Abolishing the tampon tax in all states is a critical step towards ensuring fairness and supporting the health needs of those who menstruate. It's time for us to voice a collective call for change to our state governments. Let's urge them to recognize these products as the necessities they are and remove this discriminatory tax burden.
Please, join me in this vital campaign to eliminate the tampon tax in the 18 remaining states. Sign this petition to help create a more equitable society and ensure that no one has to face additional barriers simply because they menstruate. Together, we can make a difference.
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Petition created on August 5, 2026