Airline Tax Helps HIVers

A French law that takes effect July 1 will require everyone boarding an airplane departing from the country to pay a special tax to help fund global HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis programs. Travelers will pay different amounts depending on their class of travel, ranging as high as $47 for a first-class ticket. The law was the brainchild of French president Jacques Chirac, and officials in Algeria, Brazil, Chile, Norway, and the United Kingdom are reportedly considering similar HIV taxes.