Petition Re-classify sunscreen products as an essential healthcare item exempt from VAT

Currently, sunscreen is classed as a cosmetic and as such 20% VAT is applied.
Sunscreen should be re-classified as an essential healthcare product, which would mean that it is VAT exempt.

More details

Cancer Research UK state that getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma skin cancer, and that melanoma skin cancer incidence rates have more than doubled (135%) in the UK since the early 1990s.

The average bottle of sunscreen costs £5-£7, with over £1 of this being the VAT charge applied. Removing VAT from these essential items will encourage more people to protect themselves from the potentially harmful effects of too much sun.

This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months

22 signatures

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10,000

Date closed 1 June 2021
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