Impending Tax Hike on E-Cigarettes
In an effort to combat the rise of youth vaping, the UK government is poised to introduce a significant tax hike on e-cigarette products in the upcoming March budget. This tax, expected to increase the cost of e-cigarette liquids by about 25%, is part of a broader strategy to deter minors from accessing vaping products.
The proposed tax hike aligns with Priminister Rishi Sunak’s initiative to gradually raise the legal age for purchasing cigarettes and tobacco products in England. This measure would make it illegal for individuals currently aged 14 and younger to ever legally purchase cigarettes.
Following a public consultation on youth vaping, which examined factors like flavour and packaging, the government is considering several measures. These include potentially banning disposable e-cigarettes, popular among young people due to their affordability.
Government To Follow International Examples: Potential Impact
The UK is reportedly planning to follow in the footsteps of European countries like Germany, Belgium and Italy, which have implemented similar taxes. For instance, in Germany, a 10ml bottle of e-liquid currently incurs a £1.40 tax, a figure expected to double by 2026. The new tax levy is planned for March 2024.
The government’s approach is to balance public health objectives: encouraging existing smokers to switch to vaping, while preventing non-smokers, particularly youths, from starting. Vaping is currently much cheaper than smoking, offering substantial savings for those switching from cigarettes.
Additionally, the proposed legislation aims to protect minors by altering the flavouring and marketing of e-cigarettes to reduce their appeal to children. This move is a response to the worrying increase in vape usage among minors.
These measures are part of a larger tobacco control effort to create a “smoke-free generation”. This includes regulating the sale and distribution of disposable vapes and controlling where vaping products are sold.
Stay tuned to The Vape Shop News Blog Section for the latest updates on these developments and their impact on the vaping community.
