Millions of individuals who smoke or use vaping devices are facing upcoming price hikes that will impact their wallets. The major change on the horizon is the implementation of a new tax on vaping products starting from October 1, 2026. This new Vaping Products Duty will tack on a fixed rate of £2.20 per 10ml to the price of all e-liquids, regardless of their nicotine content.
Experts suggest that a 10ml e-liquid bottle currently priced at £3.99 could potentially soar to £6.63 including VAT. Larger refill bottles are expected to experience even steeper price jumps. For instance, a 50ml bottle currently priced at £11.99 might escalate to £25.20 with VAT included. In addition to vaping products, tobacco items are also set to become pricier from October 1, 2026, due to a planned one-time duty increase.
The tobacco duty will rise in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation measure, plus two percentage points, with an extra £2.20 per 100 cigarettes and £2.20 per 50g on all other tobacco items. This increase follows the annual pattern of tobacco duty hikes post the autumn Budget. It coincides with the recent backing by peers of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to prevent individuals aged 17 or younger from purchasing cigarettes.
The bill, once passed through Parliament and agreed upon by both the Commons and Lords, will prohibit the sale of tobacco or smoking-related products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009. Furthermore, adults caught attempting to buy vaping or nicotine products for minors may face fines. The proposed law also grants ministers new authority to regulate the content and packaging of smoking products, including vapes, to safeguard public health.
Health minister Baroness Merron emphasized the importance of this legislation in combating tobacco-related health issues and preventing nicotine addiction among future generations. Jamie Strachan, operations director at VPZ, a leading vaping retailer, expressed support for the bill, highlighting the need for responsible regulations to safeguard youth and maintain high retail standards.
While advocating for strict enforcement and clear product standards, Strachan also raised concerns about the presence of high-capacity disposable vaping devices that could undermine consumer protections and responsible retail practices. As the government works on finalizing the detailed regulations to implement the bill, stringent enforcement and robust product standards are deemed crucial to the success of this legislation.