Labour MP warns vaping tax could undermine efforts to quit smoking

Labour MP Mary Glindon has cautioned that a new excise tax on vaping could discourage smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives.

Glindon, who also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Responsible Vaping, said the chancellor’s proposed tax, which will add £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid when it goes into effect on October 1, 2026, will “hurt working people”, who rely on vapes to quit smoking.

“A tax on vaping will only serve to discourage smokers from quitting,” the Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend MP said during a Commons debate on the Budget.

“The tax will also hurt working people … who rely on vaping to keep them off cigarettes.”

Glindon termed the 22p per ml tax as “unsustainably high,” highlighting that it will create one of the highest vaping duties in Europe.

“Currently, many stores sell vaping liquid for refillable devices for 99p. Under the chancellor’s proposals, that will increase by 267 per cent to £3.64,” she added.

Glindon dismissed suggestions that low-cost vaping liquids drive youth vaping, pointing instead to the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill aimed at curbing youth access.

“I fear that the tax on vapes will hurt people who have made the decision to switch from smoking to the less harmful alternative—a decision that has already saved the NHS tens of thousands of pounds per person,” she noted.

Vape industry bodies have also raised concerns over the proposal.