Tampons have 5% VAT applied to them.

There’s 20% VAT on toilet paper, toothpaste, prescription glasses and painkillers (aspirin, paracetamol etc.).

So tampons are actually taxed at a much lower rate than other, more essential, items.

Mind you, I suppose if you run out of toilet paper you could always use the Sun or Daily Mail which are zero rated! Or, if you’re more upmarket the Times, Telegraph or Financial Times.

PS Anybody remember Izal?