British Columbia Introduces 13% Tax on E-Cigarettes

Oct.18.2022
British Columbia Introduces 13% Tax on E-Cigarettes
Starting January 1, 2021, British Columbia will impose a 13% tax on all electronic cigarettes and related products.

The province of British Columbia has introduced a 13% tax on electronic cigarettes, which will come into effect on January 1st next year, raising the tax rate from 7% to 20%. The tax hike will apply to all electronic cigarette products and devices, as well as their accessories, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or cannabis products. The Ministry of Finance emphasized that British Columbia is the first Canadian province to implement such a tax.


After taxes, a pack of cigarettes priced at $15.99 will cost an additional 7%, or $1.12 per pack. "We are aligning with other provinces," said Selina Robinson, the Finance Minister of British Columbia.


Meanwhile, a nationwide consumption tax is set to take effect, with tobacco control experts warning that this could be a major public health mistake. In a focused episode of RegWatch, researchers in tobacco control, Dr. Kenneth Warner and Cliff Douglas discuss the available data on electronic cigarette taxes and why the tax set to be imposed in Canada may lead to a public health disaster.


According to a study conducted by professors Abigail Friedman from Yale University and Michael Pesko from Georgia State University, as well as several public health and anti-smoking experts' predictions, implementing taxes on e-cigarettes will lead to an increase in smoking rates and result in serious unintended consequences.


A study called "Young Adults' Responses to Tobacco and E-cigarette Taxation" investigated the impact of an e-cigarette tax increase on the smoking and vaping behavior of young consumers aged 18 to 25. Consistent with experts' arguments and predictions in the field, the researchers found that while higher e-cigarette taxes would lead to a decrease in e-cigarette usage, they would also lead to an increase in smoking rates.


According to the author's report, increasing the tax on electronic cigarettes by one dollar would significantly reduce the number of times young people use them daily, while also increasing the number of recent smokers. The researchers ultimately concluded that "higher taxes on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are associated with reduced ENDS use, but also with increased smoking rates among the 18-25 age group.


Statement:


This article was compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry-related discussions and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and they cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the content. The translation of this article is solely intended for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in translation abilities, the translated article may not accurately reflect the original wording. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


2FIRSTS aligns completely with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign-related statements and positions.


The copyright of compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

JT’s Ploom Volumes Rise 43.5% as Cigarettes Anchor Its Transition
JT’s Ploom Volumes Rise 43.5% as Cigarettes Anchor Its Transition
JT’s Ploom heated-tobacco volumes rose 43.5% in the first half of 2026, while combustibles still represented about 97% of its tobacco volume and remained the main earnings base. In Japan, reduced-risk products now account for 48.7% of industry shipments, shifting competition from category adoption towards brand share, pricing and consumer retention. JT’s results offer a revealing case of a traditional tobacco company pursuing a prolonged, dual-track transformation.
JTI
Jul.30
Global Tobacco Control Faces Regional Adaptation Test as Nicotine Markets Evolve, Asian Specialist Says
Global Tobacco Control Faces Regional Adaptation Test as Nicotine Markets Evolve, Asian Specialist Says
As e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches expand across global markets, a central question is gaining urgency: can tobacco control rely on a universal policy model? In an interview with 2Firsts, Asian public health and addiction medicine specialist Dr. Rashidi Mohamed bin Pakri Mohamed says Western experience remains relevant, but policies must be adapted to local culture, healthcare systems, enforcement capacity, illicit markets and clinical evidence.
Jul.08
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
Virginia Tightens Vape and Tobacco Retail Enforcement, With Fines Up to $15,000 Per Unlisted Product
A new Virginia law that took effect on July 1, 2026, requires retailers to obtain permits to sell liquid nicotine, vape and tobacco products, while directing Virginia ABC to conduct inspections and verify that stores sell only products listed in the state directory.
Jul.20
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
U.S. premium cigar culture is shifting toward education, broader choice and deeper links to craftsmanship and origin, cigar educator Mechelle Merkerson told 2Firsts. She sees boutique brands, women consumers and production-region experiences making knowledge central to cigar participation. For global brands, retailers and emerging markets such as China, education may help turn curiosity into sustained engagement.
Special Report
Jul.06
UK Vape Tax Countdown: Retailer Vape HQ Estimates 100ml E-liquid Prices Could Rise From £12.99 to £39.39, While Pod Kits Increase Less Than 10%
UK Vape Tax Countdown: Retailer Vape HQ Estimates 100ml E-liquid Prices Could Rise From £12.99 to £39.39, While Pod Kits Increase Less Than 10%
The UK’s Vaping Products Duty (VPD), scheduled to take effect in October 2026, is prompting retailers to assess how different vape categories may be affected. UK retailer Vape HQ has estimated potential price changes under the new volume-based tax system, showing that 100ml shortfill e-liquids could see prices rise from around £12.99 to £39.39, a 203% increase, while 2ml prefilled pod vape kits could rise from £5.99 to £6.52, an increase of about 9%. The estimates highlight how a volume-based tax structure creates uneven cost impacts across product categories.
Aug.19
China’s Jinhua Tobacco Launches CNY 2.7 Million Procurement for E-Cigarette Violation Lead Monitoring Services
China’s Jinhua Tobacco Launches CNY 2.7 Million Procurement for E-Cigarette Violation Lead Monitoring Services
Jinhua Tobacco, a municipal tobacco company in China’s Zhejiang province, has launched a public tender for e-cigarette-related violation lead monitoring and consulting services. The project is valued at CNY 2.7 million and covers data resource integration and analytical consulting services for 36 months from contract signing. The procurement reflects the use of external data and analysis services to support local tobacco companies’ market oversight activities related to e-cigarettes.
Aug.07