THE Union of Students in Ireland has celebrated an important partial victory after the government reduced VAT on condoms from 21% to 13.5% in the Finance Bill.
Overpricing of condoms has historically meant a practical restriction on their availability for young people, the age category statistically most at risk from sexually transmitted infections. More people buying and using condoms more regularly will cut the rate of new STI cases.
USI and the Crisis Preg-nancy Agency will make this message central to SHAG Week (Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance) which takes place in colleges this week.
Condoms have always been overpriced in Ireland. This has meant a practical restriction on their availability for young people, the age category statistically most at risk from STIs.
Reducing VAT on condoms to 13.5 % will cut the STI rate.
USI gives credit to Finance Minister, Brian Cowen, and Health Minister, Mary Harney, for a progressive reform.
But let’s also be clear that the government hasn’t gone far enough in reducing the cost of condoms and other contraceptives. As provided for by EU law, USI continues to lobby for a further reduction in VAT to 5%. This would apply to condoms and indeed to all other contraceptives and medicines not currently exempt from sales tax.
Every year USI partners with the Crisis Pregnancy Agency to distribute SHAG packs to tens of thousands of young people in colleges across Ireland. We encourage safer sex and condoms are the most effective form of contraception.
We should now expect to see manufacturers and retailers charging ¤1 less for a pack of 12 condoms. That’s definite progress but condoms will still cost too much.
Hamidreza Khodabakhshi
President
Union of Students in Ireland
Via email
