Vape Product Duty 'could push stronger alternatives' - Hanley retailer

Anne Durose, manager of A Fistful of Vapes in Hanley, has raised concerns that the new Vape Product Duty of 22 pence per millilitre of vape liquid will push customers towards higher-strength nicotine pod kits because they are the cheapest option under the new price structure. She fears this could lead to unintended nicotine consumption. Durose also warned that product costs could more than triple, with weekly stock spending potentially rising from £1,500 to over £5,000, and that customers stockpiling before the duty could harm the business, possibly forcing closure. James Murray, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said the tax would help remove illicit vapes from high streets and support compliant retailers. Products will also require an HMRC Vaping Duty Stamp, with a grace period until 1 April 2027 for unstamped stock. Emma Lyndon, a former smoker who switched to vaping after a stroke, fears customers will turn to cheaper, unregulated illegal vapes. Research from Action on Smoking and Health found that three million people in Britain had quit smoking to use a vape over the previous five years, and the charity noted vaping would still be cheaper than smoking after the government's £2.20 increase on tobacco duty per 100 cigarettes or 50g of tobacco. The government aims to reduce youth vaping by making vapes less affordable, while the vaping industry argues affordable vapes help people quit smoking. Health minister Karin Smyth called the measures an important step in tackling youth vaping.

(Source：Google News)