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Free period products will be available at four Coop pharmacies across the island from tomorrow following social media backlash about the lack of availability of the products in public toilets.
Larger dispensers have also been ordered for several central town locations where demand is higher, the Government has announced.
These initiatives are the latest expansion of the Government's decision to provide free sanitary products in toilets across the island instead of removing the 5% sales tax in retail settings.
Jersey remains the only place in the British Isles to have the 'tampon tax' – and the UK Government also recently abolished tax on other sanitary products, such as period pants.
Many islanders have taken to social media to voice their critiques of the local period product scheme, drawing attention to empty boxes and dispensers.
Snow Hill carpark this morning - no free period products. If @GovJersey are going to commit to providing free period products then there needs to be some. Also, this is far from a vending machine, as was proposed. I'm not giving up on this fight. pic.twitter.com/w0VxmY2AUo
— Emily Jayne Smith (@EmzJ_Smith) September 18, 2023
Posting a picture of an empty dispenser on Twitter, charity worker Emily Smith said: "If @GovJersey [the Government of Jersey] are going to commit to providing free period products then there needs to be some."
She also criticised the way the products were stored, suggesting that a vending machine "would be way more hygienic and dignified" than the current set-up of a "box of either none or half-opened packets".
Pictured: The free period products at Les Quennevais Sports Centre are stored in a plastic box on the floor of the public toilet.
In another photo, period products are stored in a box on the floor of the public toilet at Les Quennevais Sports Centre.
Emily said: "As a woman who works for a charity, and just left another charity, supporting vulnerable people I don’t think what the Government has done is good enough."
Following the social media controversy, Mark Cox, CEO of the Channel Islands Coop, previously said he was working with the Social Security Minister to help expand the availability of free products.
From today, the free products will be available in the retailer's Bath Street, New Era, Millennium Park and St Peter's Village pharmacies.
These will be in a branded plastic containers near the pharmacy counter for self-selection – and the retailer emphasised that there is no limit and no justification needed for taking them.
Pictured: Mark Cox, CEO of CI Coop. (Dave Ferguson)
Mr Cox said he was "thrilled" to announce the Coop's "wholehearted support for the Government's initiative to ensure universal access to free period products".
He continued: "Through our extensive network of pharmacy stores, we are committed to playing a key role in making these essential products readily available to those who need them.
"There has been a stigma wrongly attached to period products for a long time, and we hope that by installing these dispensers in our pharmacies helps to remove that – whilst also providing islanders with essential items."
Social Security Minister Elaine Millar added: "These latest venues are great additions to the already strong list of locations across the island and give even more choice and ease of access to period products.
"All products will continue to be placed in both female and male toilets, as this approach ensures that anyone can access them either for themselves, their children, partner, or people they might care for."
Coop Bath St Pharmacy, 87-91 Bath St, St Helier
Coop New Era Pharmacy, Victoria Road, St Clement
Coop St Helier Grand Marche Pharmacy (within Co-op store), La Rue Le Masurier, St Helier
Coop St Peter Grand Marche Pharmacy (within Co-op store), Route de L'Eglise, St Peter
More details about the scheme, and all of the locations, can be found at HERE.
The scheme remains a pilot and will continue to be adapted according to feedback, which islanders can provide HERE.
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