Tampon Tax Ban Gets Final Approval From NY State Lawmakers

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York's Legislature has given its final approval to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from state sales taxes.

A spokesman says Gov. Andrew Cuomo will sign it into law. It will take effect in the subsequent sales tax quarter.

It exempts tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners from the 4 percent state sales tax.

Assembly member Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat and sponsor, says the bill isn't limited to those items and would also exempt future menstrual products.

She says it's a sexist tax, that other medical necessities like bandages, medicine and even condoms are exempt.

Earlier this year, a group of women filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that a state tax on tampons creates an unfair standard when it comes to defining medical devices that are specifically designed for women.

"Tampons and sanitary pads are a necessity for women, not a luxury. There is no way these products would be taxed if men had to use them," said Zoe Salzman, a lawyer for the women, said in a statement released following the announcement of the suit.

New York has more than 10 million women of child-bearing age.

Sen. Sue Serino, a Hudson Valley Republican and sponsor, says repeal of the out-of-touch tax has been decades in the making.

According to Rosenthal, five other states have similar tax exemptions while five others have no state sales taxes.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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