The numbers hitting your bank account
If you're a regular vaper, the government is officially coming for your side hustle spending money. A new tax, the Vaping Product Duty, just went into effect, slapping a £2.20 charge on every 10ml of e-liquid. Real talk: this applies to everything, whether it has nicotine in it or not. The goal is to make these products less accessible for the younger crowd.
The good news (for now)
Don't stress about your bank balance hitting zero today. Sellers have a six-month window to clear out their existing stock at the old prices. Also, tobacco prices went up by £2.20 per 100 cigarettes or 50g of tobacco to keep the incentive to switch to vaping alive, though Health Minister Karin Smyth says the ultimate aim is reducing affordability across the board.
What this means for the industry
Beyond the price hike, HMRC is dropping a new stamp system to track products through the supply chain. This is a move to stop illegal trade, which has become a major problem on high streets. Plus, new planning rules in England mean shop owners need council permission to open stores selling e-cigarettes. Some industry insiders like Jordan Apap from Berkshire Vapers aren't feeling it, warning that this could put legitimate specialty shops out of business within two years. John Dunne of the UK Vaping Industry Association called the move a “tax on public health,” arguing that it hurts adults trying to ditch cigarettes.
Why it matters
While the industry says vaping helps people stop smoking, the government is pivoting toward the health risks. Recent reviews have linked vaping in young people to issues like poor sleep, mental health struggles, and dental problems. It’s a classic case of the government trying to curb usage—if the price goes up, will you cut down? Some vapers say say less, while others are rethinking the habit entirely.
