In a victory for women’s rights campaigners, the “regressive” tampon tax has been repealed in New York.
Tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners will, from October, be exempt from a four per cent state sales tax and local taxes, which generally amount to five per cent. An estimated $10 million will be saved by women annually in the state.
New York now joins Canada, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Pennsylvania in ending the tax on tampons and other sanitary items.
The move is also likely to give a further boost to campaigners in the UK against the tax, who thought they had won victory in March but are still waiting for changes to come into effect.
"We are taking a monumental step forward in reforming our out-of-touch tax laws and we are sending a strong message to New York's women that they are being heard," said Republican Senator Sue Serino, from Dutchess County in the southeast of the state. "This day is long overdue."
This sentiment was echoed by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who said the sales tax was first imposed decades ago at a time when women had little political power.
"The tampon tax is regressive," Ms Rosenthal said. "Lifting it will spare all women the extra monthly burden of paying taxes on products that are already unaffordable to many."
New York state governor, Andrew Cuomo, signed the measure into law on Thursday, calling it "a matter of social and economic justice."
Products such as condoms and bandages are already exempt from sales tax, which campaigners said was unfair.
"Sanitary napkins and tampons are simply not a luxury item; they're an everyday need," said Sonia Ossorio, president of the National Organization for Women, New York City. "It's definitely a step in the right direction. Now what we need to do is look at access to these products."
Ms Ossorio said that while the repeal is a victory, it's symbolic of larger social inequalities that women face every day. When it comes to feminine hygiene products, she said officials around the US should follow the lead of New York City, which recently enacted a new law requiring free tampons at public schools, homeless shelters and jails.
