Tag: vape tax

French Lawmakers Reject Vape Tax

Yesterday (October 22), the Finance Committee of France’s National Assembly voted to reject the government’s proposed tax on vaping products outlined in the 2026 draft budget. The measure, included in Article 23, sought to introduce a levy of €0.30 per 10mL for low-nicotine e-liquids and €0.50 per 10mL for higher-nicotine products, a move strongly opposed by several deputies who cited vaping’s lower health risks compared to smoking.

Lawmakers across party lines defended vaping as a harm-reduction tool. Aurélien Le Coq of La France Insoumise argued that “electronic cigarettes, even if they carry risks, are much less harmful than tobacco,” suggesting the proposed tax reflected the influence of the tobacco lobby. Pierre Cazeneuve of Ensemble pour la République, speaking as a former smoker, also opposed the measure, saying that vaping plays a key role in helping people quit. However, Perrine Goulet of Les Démocrates countered that vaping could act as a “gateway to smoking for young people,” and supported moderate taxation to curb youth use.

The committee ultimately adopted an amendment from the Republican Right group to keep vape taxes at 0% for 2026, a partial win for the vaping industry. However, challenges remain: lawmakers approved a ban on online vape sales, which currently account for up to 30% of the French market, and the European Union is preparing to introduce a bloc-wide vape tax starting January 1, 2028. The decision will next move to the full Assembly for debate and confirmation in the coming weeks.

October 23, 2025
Ireland to Introduce Europe’s Highest Vape Tax

Beginning November 1, the Irish government will impose a new €0.50 per milliliter tax on all vaping e-liquids—regardless of nicotine content—making it the highest vape tax in the European Union. The measure comes alongside planned restrictions on flavors, packaging, advertising, and disposable vapes. Officials say the tax aims to curb youth vaping and strengthen prevention efforts following Ireland’s 2023 ban on vape sales to minors. However, public health and harm reduction advocates argue the policy will backfire, driving consumers toward the black market and undermining Ireland’s stalled “Tobacco Free Ireland” goal of reducing smoking to below 5% by 2025.

Advocates from the New Nicotine Alliance Ireland (NNAI) warn the new tax will make quitting smoking harder for low-income groups, with prices for a typical 10ml e-liquid expected to triple from €3 to €9. They argue vaping has been a key tool in helping smokers quit—38% of quitters in Ireland reportedly used vapes—yet misinformation and punitive taxes have reversed progress. Addiction specialist Dr. Garrett McGovern criticized the policy for equating vaping’s risks with those of smoking, calling it “a dreadful public health policy.” Research shows that vape restrictions and higher costs often lead to increased smoking rates, a trend advocates fear could repeat in Ireland if affordability and access continue to shrink.

October 21, 2025
Roanoke Weighs $20K Annual Fee for Vape, Tobacco Shops

The City Council in Roanoke, Virginia, is considering a $20,000 annual operational fee for specialty tobacco and vape shops operating within the city limits. The fee would specifically target businesses primarily profiting from vape, tobacco, THC, and related products, meaning gas stations and convenience stores would be exempt.

Councilman Phazon Nash says the measure would promote public health and fund economic development programs, while Councilman Peter Volosin cautions against possible discrimination if minority-owned businesses are disproportionately affected.

The proposal is under review by the city manager and city attorney, with Nash confident it will gain enough support to pass.

August 13, 2025
Analysts: UK Vape Tax Good for Tobacco Stock

Image: James Thew

Citi analysts have identified the U.K. government’s new excise tax on vaping products as an encouraging development for BAT and Imperial Brands, reports Proactive.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed in his Spring Budget speech that vaping products would be subject to a new tax from October 2026. According to media reports, this move is designed to maintain a financial incentive for choosing vaping over smoking, complemented by a concurrent increase in tobacco duty.
The taxation framework will be based on nicotine content, with a three-tiered system imposing charges ranging from £1 ($1.28) per 10 mL to £3 per 10 mL in addition to the current 20 percent VAT.
This structured approach aims to regulate the vaping market further and aligns with the government’s health strategy by providing a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking.
Citi’s short research note said: “Although [Wednesday’s] confirmation of the planned levy on vaping comes as little surprise, we believe that alongside the proposed ban on disposable vapes from April 25, the regulatory risk/reward is skewing to the upside for both BAT and Imperial.”

March 8, 2024
Canada Proposes Federal Vape Tax

Photo: Roman R

The Canadian government has proposed the country’s first federal vape tax, which would take effect Oct. 1 if passed, according to Vaping360.
The tax applies only to nicotine-containing products, including pod-style and cartridge-style refills, disposable vapes and bottled e-liquids as well as nicotine base for DIY liquids. It does not apply to hardware that is sold without e-liquids. The tax also includes an option for Canadian provinces to add on their own, equally large, taxes.
Vaping products would see a tax of CAD1 ($0.97) per 2 mL for the first 10 mL of e-liquid in any sealed container and $1 per 10 mL for additional liquid in the same container. Sealed pods would be taxed separately at a minimum of $1 per pod.
Retailers would have until Jan. 1, 2023, to sell any untaxed stock they still have on Oct. 1 when the law would go into effect.
The tax is awaiting a vote by Parliament’s House of Commons, which is expected to take place either at the end of April or beginning of May.

April 8, 2022