The cost of vaping in the UK has been increased significantly by the UK Government.
In Labour’s first Budget, announced today (30 October), Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed a first of its kind vaping duty.
It is on top of Labour’s plans to ban disposable vapes, with the new tax applying to refillable vapes.
It’s time to wave goodbye to these colourful little guys, with taxes introduced on the refillables (Getty Stock Photo)
And it’s set to be expensive, with a 50ml liquid now costing you an extra £11.
The tax isn’t immediate, with it set to become law in just under two year’s time.
“We want to discourage non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping,” HM Treasury posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“From 1 October, 2026, we’re introducing a vaping duty for the first time at £2.20 per 10ml of liquid.
“Plus a one-off tobacco duty rise to keep the incentive to choose refillable vaping over smoking.”
There is also a 10 percent increase on hand-rolled products on top of the one-off increase.
It comes as a blow to those who vape and the vaping industry after the government revealed it is finally set to ban disposable vapes in the UK.
The former prime minister, Rishi Sunak, had first suggested the idea of banning disposable vapes with his successor Sir Keir Starmer taking up the policy after winning the keys to 10 Downing Street at the 2024 general election.
The ban will form part of the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
A government spokesperson previously told LADbible: “The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop vapes from deliberately being branded and advertised to appeal to children, including by regulating flavours, packaging, and changing how and where they are displayed in shops.
“Ministers are reviewing proposals to restrict the sale and supply of disposable vapes more widely before setting out next steps.”
Taxed at £2.20 per 10ml of refillable liquid (Getty Stock Photo)
Following on from this, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) last week confirmed that disposable vapes will be banned in England from 1 June, 2025.
Health minister Andrew Gwynne said the ban was fuelled by analysis that showed one in four 11 to 15-year-olds used a vape in the last year, adding: “We know disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today.”
He said: “Banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment, but importantly reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people.
“The government will also introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – the biggest public health intervention in a generation – which will protect young people from becoming hooked on nicotine and pave the way for a smoke-free UK.”
