Do you support a tax on vapes - Vote in our poll
People who vape could be forced to fork out an extra £1.40 a week under government plans to create a ‘smokefree generation’ - and we want to know what you think.
Under the new tobacco and vapes bill, ministers are considering measures to curb youth vaping and slash the availability of e-cigarettes for children. Documents released alongside the King’s Speech confirm the Tories are exploding “a new duty on vapes as other countries have done”.
The government is reportedly following the footsteps of other European counties, including Germany and Italy, who already have taxes on vape. Vapers in Germany are handed a £1.40 vape tax on 10ml bottles, with plans to double this to £2.80 in 2026. Meanwhile, Italy charges a £1.10 levy on 10ml bottles.
Despite being a useful tool to cut smoking, ministers have warned that they are not risk free. No10 is plotting to discourage non-smokers from starting vaping and believe “there is a strong case to take action on affordability”.
The Government has said that if it introduces new levies on vaping it will still be cheaper than cigarettes as it will ensure “there is a significant differential between duty on vapes and tobacco products”. Recent figures have shown that smoking is three times more expensive than vaping, and the average smoker saves around £670 annually from switching to e-cigarettes.
They look and taste like sweets - no wonder underage vaping is sweeping Britain
Ministers are also holding a public consultation on ways to tackle youth vaping, including restricting flavours and packaging that may appeal to children. A total ban on disposable vapes is being discussed over concerns that kids can buy them with their pocket money.
Speaking to Times Radio, Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: "We're planning to crack down on the sale of vapes to children, we've seen huge increases in the number of children using vapes. The way they're marketed, particularly, is designed often to make them look like sweets.
"There's a number of things within consideration. Now, of course, tax is a matter for the Treasury, that is announced in the usual way. The key issue is we're clear there is a risk in the way that vapes are being targeted to children. We're concerned about that.”
According to Action on Smoking and Health, the proportion of children experimenting with vaping had grown by 50 percent year on year, from one in thirteen to one in nine. The public health charity warns that as of 2023, 20.5 percent of children have tried vaping, despite the devices being illegal for under-18s, up from 15.8 percent in 2022.
The American Lung Association has highlighted that e-cigarettes produce a a number of dangerous chemicals including acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. These aldehydes have been linked to lung disease and heart disease. Following the King’s Speech on November 7, we want to know if YOU think there should be a new tax on vaping? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
