Potential Impacts of Proposed E-cigarette Tax in UK

According to Planet Radio, on March 4th, ahead of the budget announcement this Wednesday (March 6th), British Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is considering implementing new taxes on e-liquids to deter younger individuals from starting to vape.

Former Director of Public Health in the Northwest, John Ashton, believes this is the right direction: "We may have up to 20% of teenagers using e-cigarettes, and we are not sure of the long-term effects of their smoking." He also added, "If the Chancellor starts taxing e-cigarettes this Wednesday, it would be a good move.

A British e-cigarette company has labeled proposed measures as being driven by political motives and has criticized them for damaging the UK's best existing tool for quitting smoking. Matt Crann, sales director at Riot Labs, believes that the government's actions will present a major obstacle for those who have turned to e-cigarettes in order to quit smoking. He added, "Like most things the government does, there is a lot of talk but a lack of clarity in reality.

There is no rational explanation for the e-cigarette tax, and it is filled with political motives. Where will the additional cash from the tax increase be directed? All it can do is provide the UK with the best smoking cessation tool.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in the UK, causing over 120,000 deaths each year - more than 13 every hour. E-cigarettes have a good track record in helping people quit smoking and embark on the path to quitting. For the e-cigarette industry, which has been hit hard in recent weeks by the government's absurd policies on disposable e-cigarettes, this is a battle that Riot Labs is willing to fight for our industry retail partners.

According to an analysis by the Treasury, the increase in new e-cigarette and tobacco taxes could generate approximately £500 million (approximately $634,757,500) in revenue annually.