Vape prices to rise as new tax takes effect

Starting April, the cost of vapes will increase due to a new tax introduced to deter young people from using them. The Vaping Product Duty will be £2.20 for every 10ml of e-liquid, applied to all vaping products regardless of nicotine content. Sellers will have six months to sell existing stock at the pre-duty price before the new tax takes effect. The government aims to reduce the appeal of vapes, especially among children and young people, as more evidence emerges about their adverse health effects.

The vaping industry protested against the new tax, arguing that affordable vapes assist smokers in quitting. Tobacco prices were also raised on Thursday, by £2.20 per 100 cigarettes or 50g of tobacco. The duty will encourage smokers to switch to vaping, maintaining the financial incentive for them to quit.

Public opinion on the new tax is divided. While some like 19-year-old Mackenzie Bird see it as acceptable, others like Cara Lewis-Rimes and Dylan Killner might reconsider vaping due to higher prices. HMRC is introducing a traceable stamp for all vapes sold in the UK, starting April, to combat illicit trade.

The government also announced new planning laws in England, requiring new vape shops to apply for council permission to open. Health Minister Karin Smyth emphasized the measures are essential in their ambition to tackle youth vaping by reducing the affordability of vaping products. However, James Murray, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, stated that the government supports retailers following the rules, warning of potential strain on legitimate vape shops.

Vaping rates among schoolchildren seem to be declining, but their popularity remains prevalent. Police raids in Reading suspect some vape shops of being fronts for crime gangs. John Dunne, the director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association, described the tax as a "tax on public health," defending that vapes have helped millions of adults cut down or stop smoking.

However, experts warn that while vaping is safer than smoking, it is not risk-free and its long-term effects remain unclear. The NHS advises that children and non-smokers should never vape.