For tobacco hurt discount advocates, the central query is not whether or not vaping ought to be regulated—it ought to—however whether or not new insurance policies will proceed encouraging people who smoke to modify away from cigarettes or inadvertently make flamable tobacco extra aggressive.
New responsibility may spell catastrophe
Probably the most instant change arrives on 1 October 2026 with the introduction of the UK’s Vaping Merchandise Obligation. Each 10ml bottle of e-liquid—whether or not it accommodates nicotine or not—will appeal to a flat-rate £2.20 excise responsibility, with VAT added on prime.
Probably the most instant change arrives on 1 October 2026 with the introduction of the UK’s Vaping Merchandise Obligation. Each 10ml bottle of e-liquid—whether or not it accommodates nicotine or not—will appeal to a flat-rate £2.20 excise responsibility, with VAT added on prime. On the identical time, producers and importers should introduce digital tax stamps on qualifying merchandise, enabling HM Income & Customs to watch merchandise all through the availability chain.
Not like the unique proposal for nicotine-based tax bands, the flat-rate mannequin taxes all liquids equally no matter nicotine energy. Heavy customers of lower-strength refillable liquids could subsequently pay greater than customers utilizing smaller portions of higher-strength merchandise.
The broader concern is whether or not increased costs slender the monetary benefit vaping presently holds over smoking. A number of worldwide financial research have proven that cigarettes and vaping merchandise can act as substitute items. When vaping turns into considerably costlier, some people who smoke postpone switching whereas some former people who smoke relapse. The newest Cochrane dwelling assessment continues to search out that nicotine e-cigarettes assist extra adults quit smoking than typical nicotine alternative remedy, suggesting that sustaining affordability stays an necessary part of tobacco hurt discount.
Flavours appear subsequent on the record
Analysis offered by UKVIA signifies that non-tobacco flavours stay necessary for grownup people who smoke making an attempt to distance themselves from cigarettes. Related findings have emerged from native authority stop-smoking companies, the place fruit flavours are extensively provided to people who smoke making an attempt to give up. This distinction issues.
Specialist vape retailers? Completely underrated
The regulatory challenges lengthen past merchandise themselves.
Current authorities statements suggesting that reduction for companies “that don’t make a constructive contribution to native communities, resembling vape retailers” ought to be reviewed have generated robust criticism from hurt discount advocates.
The implication that specialist vape retailers contribute little to society sits uneasily alongside proof that hundreds of thousands of former people who smoke depend on these companies for recommendation, product choice and ongoing help.
Licensing goes hand in hand with enforcement
Quite than focusing on authentic companies, many business representatives favour a complete licensing system.
The Tobacco and Vapes Act already gives powers for retail licensing in a lot of the UK. If applied successfully, licensing may enhance market oversight whereas permitting regulators to droop companies repeatedly discovered promoting to minors or distributing non-compliant merchandise.
Digital tax stamps launched alongside the Vaping Merchandise Obligation may reinforce this strategy by making authorized provide chains simpler to hint. Nevertheless, licensing will solely succeed if enforcement focuses on illicit operators reasonably than imposing further administrative burdens on compliant retailers.
Plain packaging dangers sending the improper message
The issue is that packaging performs a number of capabilities past advertising and marketing. For grownup people who smoke contemplating switching, product look, model recognition and clear data assist distinguish authentic merchandise from counterfeit alternate options. Eradicating these options could unintentionally reinforce the misunderstanding that vaping carries dangers corresponding to smoking.
Public notion is already transferring within the improper course.
Current surveys persistently present that many adults now consider vaping is as dangerous as—or much more dangerous than—flamable cigarettes regardless of repeated proof evaluations by Public Well being England, the Workplace for Well being Enchancment and Disparities and the Royal School of Physicians concluding that vaping is considerably much less dangerous than smoking. If regulation additional blurs this distinction, fewer people who smoke might even see worth in switching.
A defining second for UK tobacco hurt discount
Youngsters shouldn’t vape. Unlawful merchandise ought to be faraway from the market. Producers ought to meet rigorous product requirements, whereas retailers ought to confirm age and adjust to environmental obligations. But regulation should additionally protect the accessibility, affordability and attractiveness of lower-risk alternate options for adults who would in any other case smoke.
Success shouldn’t be measured by declining vape gross sales alone.
The problem dealing with policymakers is subsequently not whether or not to control vaping, however how to take action with out dropping sight of the final word goal: changing flamable cigarettes with considerably lower-risk alternate options and persevering with to scale back the large burden of smoking-related illness.
