UK to impose new tax on vape

  * Smoking is harmful to health, minors are prohibited from using e-cigarettes, non-smokers are not recommended to use e-cigarettes*

In her October 30 budget plan introduction, Treasury Secretary Rachel Reeves announced that the government would raise tobacco taxes by 2% above inflation for the remainder of the parliament and a further 10% increase for cigarettes this year. According to Reuters, from October 2026, the UK will also impose a new tax of £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid.
Smokers’ rights campaigners have warned that the plan would be counterproductive. They argue that raising tobacco taxes above the rate of inflation will drive more smokers into the black market, fuel illegal trade and hurt legitimate retailers.
“It discriminates against consumers from poor families, for whom smoking may be one of their few pleasures. Rather than penalizing people on low incomes, the government should work to improve the environmental conditions that cause many people to smoke.”
The British Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) said the planned tariffs on e-liquids were a punishment for smokers trying to switch to less harmful nicotine products.
“While a flat rate would be preferable to a tax based on different nicotine concentrations so that it does not discourage smokers who rely on higher nicotine concentrations who have begun to switch to e-cigarettes, But such a high tax rate would add insult to injury for former adult smokers who switched to e-cigarettes in order to quit smoking. It would also be the highest tax rate in Europe,”John Dunn, director general of the British Vaping Industry Association, said in a statement.