Man Mocked After Calling Picture Of A Tampon 'Obscene'

Twitter often breeds lively and somewhat ridiculous debate, but one post we didn't expect any uproar against was the government's much anticipated announcement about the end of tampon tax.

"From today, there is no VAT against women's sanitary products," the official HM Treasury Twitter wrote, alongside a perfectly ordinary illustration of a tampon.

But one man was inexplicably offended by the mere sight of the every day hygiene product, responding: "Good policy but is this obscene image really necessary?"

We mean, really?!

Yep, Twitter user Adam Garrie seemed to be bizarrely upset at the mere sight of a tampon while scrolling through his feed, and his reasoning was even more odd.

Replying to critics as his post gained momentum, Adam explained it was the "implication of bodily fluids" which offended him, alongside the "particular curvature" of the tampon illustration.

However, funnily enough, people weren't buying his explanation, questioning if he would have the same response if the illustration were of something else essential, like a tube of toilet roll.

"Time for some honest self reflection- do you find this image of toilet paper obscene?," one wrote.

Clapping back at his comment, another Twitter user penned: "I cannot for the life of me understand how ANYBODY could possibly find a tampon obscene! Speaks volumes about a weird and repressed attitude to menstruation and sexuality."

PA)

Meanwhile, a third chipped in: "Why should the picture of an everyday menstrual product universally recognised as just an everyday product like toilet paper or condoms, not be included on the graphic? Oh wait it's your childlike imagination making things weirder than they are."

"Imagine growing up to become a whole-ass adult and being this upset by an illustration of a tampon," a fourth concurred.

Commenting on the backlash, Garrie wrote: "I find images of any product concerned with bodily fluids originating from below a man or woman's belt to be unfit for broadcast on a government channel. I agree with the text and the policy. It is the image that I object to."

He added: "Why is the picture of a lavatorial product necessary for the government (not a private company) to convey information?"

And to another critic, he clarified: "I called a SPECIFIC image obscene, not least because of its source (the government). The government was wrong on their presentation and uniquely the policy was and remains a good one."

PA)

We mean, we don't really know where to start with this one, tbh.

The Twitter storm comes as the 5 per cent tampon tax was scrapped in the UK from January 1st, after ditching European Union laws which brand sanitary products 'non-essential'.

The move has amassed much praise from activists fighting to end period poverty.

Felicia Willow, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, a women's rights charity, said: "It's been a long road to reach this point, but at last the sexist tax that saw sanitary products classed as non-essential, luxury items can be consigned to the history books."

The move follows in the footsteps of Scotland, after they became the first country to make period products free back in November.

Topics: Life News, Life, Twitter

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

@joannafreedman