From tampons to sanitary pads, all period products will be free in this country

Scotland's parliament has backed legislation that will make all menstruation products free of charge. The country would be the first nation in the world to do so. The bill was almost unanimously supported by lawmakers

Scotland on Tuesday was poised to become the first country in the world to make menstrual products free, after members of the Scottish Parliament voted unanimously to support a new bill.

The country's devolved parliament passed the first vote on legislation that would make products including tampons and sanitary pads freely available in Scotland. 112 members present voted for the bill, and one abstained.

The bill will now face the committee stage and may be amended.

It would also make the products available at public places such as community centers, youth clubs, and pharmacies.

Lawmaker Monica Lennon submitted a first draft of the proposed bill — called the Period Products (Free Provision) Scotland Bill — in  2017.

"These are not luxury items. They are indeed essential and no one in Scotland should have to go without period products," Lennon said.

"We are changing the culture and it's really exciting that other countries right around the world are watching very closely to see what we do," she said.