UK Finance Minister Plans Record Tobacco Tax Hike

Feb.24.2023

UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt plans the largest tobacco tax increase in history, raising a pack by £1.15.

Recently, according to the Daily Mail, Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK, is planning to implement the biggest tobacco tax increase in British history.

According to reports, Hunter will officially release the budget proposal on March 15th, which includes a tobacco tax increase. A pack of 20 cigarettes will increase by £1.15 (approximately RMB 9.5), representing an increase of over 15%.

Although tobacco taxes usually increase with inflation, some smokers in the UK are hoping the government will temporarily delay the implementation of this decision due to the current high level of inflation.

The tobacco tax has generated nearly £11 billion in revenue for the government, representing 1.2% of all tax revenue for the year. Britain aims to reduce the proportion of smokers in the population to below 5% by the end of the century.

Earlier this year, a public opinion poll revealed that most British people wish to immediately ban the sale of cigarettes. According to a survey conducted by MailOnline, 52% of respondents support a "complete" ban on purchasing cigarettes, while 31% "strongly" support a ban on their sale.

The findings of the survey could provide legislators and health experts with more confidence that public opinion is nearing a crucial moment in favor of a smoking ban. It is reported that the UK previously implemented a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in 2006 and 2007.

References:

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is reportedly considering increasing the tax on tobacco in line with inflation, resulting in a £1.15 rise in the price of a pack of cigarettes, according to sources. The potential move is expected to be announced in next month's budget.

#Europe #Legislation #Open system e-cigarettes #United Kingdom #UK #E-cigarette Taxes #The United Kingdom

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Survey Shows E-cigarette Use Doubles Among Young Thais

Thailand’s latest national health survey shows a sharp increase in e-cigarette use among people under 30, particularly among female adolescents. Researchers found that vaping has not reduced overall tobacco harm and has instead driven growth in new nicotine users, with younger ages of initiation. Public health experts urged sustained enforcement and comprehensive policies centred on banning e-cigarettes, strengthening law enforcement and expanding public awareness to protect children and youth.

Dec.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Poland Plans Total Prohibition of Single-Use Vapes to Protect Youth

Poland’s Ministry of Health has proposed legislation to ban all disposable e-cigarettes — both with and without nicotine — under a new amendment to tobacco product laws. The government aims to protect youth from nicotine addiction while reducing public health and environmental harm. Medical professionals largely support the move but call for balanced harm-reduction strategies.

Nov.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Exclusive | China Releases E-Cigarette Regulatory “Status Report”, First Comprehensive Disclosure of Oversight Framework and International Cooperation

As 2025 draws to a close, China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration has released a white paper–style “Status Report” on e-cigarette regulation, systematically outlining its oversight framework, enforcement outcomes and international cooperation. 2Firsts provides exclusive in-depth reporting and analysis, offering insight into China’s regulatory logic and governance direction.

Dec.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives

U.S. vape firms appeal Mississippi synthetic-nicotine ban, citing FDA authority preemption

A coalition of U.S. vape industry groups has appealed a Mississippi law banning the sale of e-cigarette products containing synthetic nicotine, arguing the statute effectively conditions sales on FDA authorization and unlawfully encroaches on federal regulatory authority. The law took effect in July 2025 and has already begun to be enforced.

Dec.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai