LONDON -- MPs voted against a move to force the government to cut tax on sanitary products by 305 votes to 287 Monday.
The proposed amendment to the Finance Bill would have cut the infamous "tampon tax" that sees VAT of 5% chargeable on tampons and other sanitary goods.
Tax is levied on tampons because under current rules they're deemed to fall under a category of nonessential, luxury items - something the Internet has found ridiculous.
Love that fresh new tampon feeling. So luxurious. #tampontax— K Warey (@mrskatware) October 27, 2015
After the news of the vote broke, and signatories to a petition entitled Stop Taxing Periods - Period surged past 258,000 votes, some of Twitter's wittiest explored the concept of tampons as a luxury item.
Having a pamper session. It's so nice to surround yourself with luxury now and then #tampontax pic.twitter.com/HSRg42sJrJ— Ally Katte (@AllyKatte) October 28, 2015
Sheer decadence. Oh Ambassador, with these sanitary products you are spoiling us! #tampontax #luxury pic.twitter.com/ntg9YjKpbS— Gail E Bishop (@gailebishop) October 29, 2015
Here we have the finest pocket sized luxury hand crafted from real pearls #TamponTax pic.twitter.com/w041SjzNqm— Femme Noir (@petitpadthai) October 28, 2015
We all deserve a bit of luxury #tampontax pic.twitter.com/4mM9NysaNr— Mrs Sarah Nic (@sp1305) October 28, 2015
Luxuriating with my luxurious luxury item #tampontax #luxury pic.twitter.com/uuWN0FiIZS— Ashley Storrie (@ashleystorrie) October 28, 2015
Had some extra money in the bank so thought I'd treat myself to some LUXURY ITEMS #tampontax pic.twitter.com/K6haLNRaiF— Rosie (@rrosie13) October 27, 2015
Pure indulgence!! Living the life of luxury with my selection of sanitary products!! #tampontax #TamponsForAll pic.twitter.com/3edAveFvX4— Sara P (@xxsarajpxx) October 27, 2015
SNP MP Alison Thewliss joined the voices of dissent earlier in the week.
"It is absurd that while men's razors, children's nappies and even products like Jaffa Cakes, exotic meats and edible cake decorations are free from VAT, women are still having to pay additional costs on what is already an expensive yet vital product," she said.
The government insists that any change to the tax would need the agreement of every EU member state and that they can't extend the zero tax to new products without consent. David Gauke, finance secretary to the Treasury, has said he would raise the issue with other EU member states.