All- male panel kills bid to lift tampon tax

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah committee of all- male lawmakers voted to keep the sales tax on tampons and other feminine hygiene products despite an international push to remove it.

Members of a taxation committee on Wednesday evening voted 8- 3 against removing the tax, saying “subjective variations” on exemptions can make the tax system less predictable. The Utah proposal also called for making adult incontinence products and children’s diapers tax free.

Governments that make money this way penalize women for their biology, some say. Pennsylvania and Minnesota are among states that have eliminated these taxes. A handful of other states, including California, have seen similar proposals brought before their legislatures this year. In Wisconsin, a Democratic lawmaker has proposed providing free tampons in all public buildings.

Last year, Canada removed taxes on feminine hygiene products after receiving unanimous political support. For almost two decades, Britain set the tax on sanitary products at 5 percent, the lowest- possible level, and leaders there have considered doing away with the tax entirely.

Most states don’t tax prescription drugs or food, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Utah keeps with the trend when it comes to medication, but it still taxes most groceries.

Feminine hygiene products should be considered necessities — like medicine and food — not luxuries, said Stephanie Pitcher with the Utah Women’s Coalition.

“Having a period is not a choice for women,” Pitcher said.

President Obama said last month that he had no idea why feminine hygiene products were taxed.