Superdrug vows to give tampon tax back to customers in rewards points

In the UK, tampons are considered a luxury item rather than essential (Picture: Getty Images)

Superdrug has vowed to return the so-called ‘tampon tax’ back to its customers by giving them rewards points.
Currently, sanitary products carry 5 per cent VAT in the UK under European rules, because they are classed as luxury rather than essential items.
The high street store has promised to give customers between three and 10 points on their loyalty cards every time they buy Superdrug’s own brand of tampons and sanitary towels.
This works out to be a penny a point to spend in the store.
Gemma Mason, Superdrug head of customer service, said that millions of women visit the store each week to buy sanitary products.

Superdrug have vowed to give tampon tax back to customers in rewards points (File Picture: Alamy)

She said: ‘We are hopeful that the rules will change in the future, until then we are delighted to give a little back to our customers.’
Each year, the Treasury takes £15 million in VAT from sanitary products and in the last spending review, Chancellor George Osborne promised to give the VAT to women’s charities.

Osborne has spoken out against the ‘tampon tax’ and said he will lobby the European Commission to change the rules so they can remove the rate entirely.
At the moment, tampons are not deemed essential products like razors or condoms and thus they are taxed like luxury items.
Superdrug confirmed that it would pay back £60,000 in points to its Health & Beauty Card members this year in donations.