‘Keep an eye out!’ Tesco customer urges shoppers as supermarket is giving away boxes of Tampax for free
WOMEN will spend almost £4,000 on period products over their lives, making them an under-the-radar but necessary expense.
And even with the hated tampon tax being abolished in 2021, the cost of sanitary products is still a big burden.
Luckily, supermarkets are doing what they can to offset some of the cost.
That includes Tesco, which is giving away free boxes of tampons worth more than £3 to lucky customers.
Women have urged shoppers to “keep an eye on receipts” from the supermarket, as you may be given a voucher for one.
“Keep an eye on your receipts from Tesco,” Georgie Roux urged on Facebook.
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“We just bought a shirt and got this voucher for free Tampax Pearl Compak worth £3.35.”
According to Tesco’s website, the Tampax Pearl Compak 16-packs are currently in a sponsorship with the supermarket.
Shoppers on social media were quick to point out that even if you didn’t need the box yourself, somebody else likely will.
“We had this the other day,” Emma James said.
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“For people that get the voucher and don't need the product please, still get it and donate it the food bank or baby bank.
“Someone will always be grateful.”
"Even if you don’t use them, get them and donate to women’s hostels,” Davina Craske echoed.
Period poverty puts the health of many women and girls in Britain at risk, with campaigners saying that the “average cost of a period in the UK over a year is £500”.
In August 2017 Tesco became the first British supermarket to effectively scrap the tampon tax by covering the 5 per cent VAT itself.
What is period poverty?
THE term 'period poverty' means being unable to access sanitary products, according to BodyForm.
It also means "having a poor knowledge of menstruation often due to financial constraints".
In the UK...
- 1 in 10 girls can’t afford to buy menstrual products
- 1 in 7 have struggled to afford them
Another problem intertwined with period poverty is the taboo surrounding menstruation, which can be particularly harmful to girls going through puberty.
In a survey of more than 1,000 girls, nearly half were embarrassed by their period, many were afraid to ask for help because of the stigma and 68 per cent said they felt less able to pay attention in class at school or college while menstruating.
The average woman spends more than £150 a year on period products.
Research by the sanitary towel maker Always, explained a fifth of UK parents struggled to afford sanitary products for their daughters.
And more than 135,000 girls miss out on school each year because of period poverty.
“Tampax Pearl Compak tampons are Tampax's best tampons for comfort, protection and discretion,” a blurb on the free tampons reads on Tesco’s website.
“Tampax Pearl Compak tampons come with a compact and discreet smooth plastic applicator and rounded tip for comfortable insertion.
“Its contoured ‘Anti-Slip Grip’ makes the applicator easy to hold and position.
“Tampax Pearl Compak has MotionFit technology that gently expands to fit your body’s unique shape.
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“Additionally, there is a LeakGuard braid that helps stop leaks before they happen.”
The tampons have been gynaecologically tested and are free from fragrances.