Dem lawmakers applaud lawsuit against Ohio's "Pink Tax"

State Reps. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) and Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) today applauded the filing of a lawsuit against Ohio for the sales tax on feminine hygiene products, also commonly called the “Pink Tax.” The class-action lawsuit argues that the “Pink Tax” violates equal protection laws because only women must use these products. Despite the U.S. Food and Drug administration classifying tampons and pads as medical devices, Ohio is one of many states that continue to tax feminine hygiene products.

“We are pleased to see action being taken against discriminatory laws that disproportionately single out women at cash registers all across the state. This sales tax on essential products – that help prevent diseases and health complications – only affects women, instituting yet another unfair economic barrier to full equality. At a time when Ohio women are fighting for equal pay, job opportunities and access to quality health care, we need to strike down and get rid of systemic economic inequalities that put females at a disadvantage from the day they are born in Ohio,” said the Summit County lawmakers in a joint statement. “The Ohio legislature has two Democratic bills that will do just that.”

Last summer, the Democratic lawmakers introduced House Bill 272, legislation to end Ohio’s “Pink Tax,” or sales taxes on essential feminine hygiene products including tampons, liners, cups, napkins and other forms of feminine hygiene in connection with the menstrual cycle.

As part of their “Focus on The Future” economic agenda announced earlier this year, Democratic lawmakers also pushed another effort to end the “Pink Tax” through House Bill 484, legislation that would not only end Ohio’s “Pink Tax” but also sales taxes on other essential items such as over-the-counter medication and baby diapers.