THE cost of vaping will rise by about £280 a year when a new levy comes into force next month.
Vaping Products Duty will tax e-liquid at a flat rate of 22p per millilitre, plus 20 per cent VAT.
From October 1, the price of a typical 10ml bottle will rise by at least £2.64 — to more than £5.
Research suggests the average vaper’s outlay will rise from about £790 a year to £1,070.
Guy Lawler, managing director of retailer Vapekit, said: “This tax will make the most effective way of quitting [smoking] far more expensive.”
“Most vapers we surveyed had not even heard about the new vape tax coming in October.
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“People need to know how it will affect them, which is why we built the calculator.
“With the changes now just weeks away, affordability is becoming a real consideration for vapers across the UK.”
He added: “A recent review by the Cochrane Library, which specialises in reviewing medical research, looked at 80 studies into quitting smoking and found nicotine vapes work better than patches or gum.
“The charity Action on Smoking and Health says two and a half million people have used a vape to stop smoking in the last five years alone.
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“Now this tax will make the most effective way of quitting far more expensive.”
Almost half of vapers would consider buying cheaper black market stuff, research by OnePoll.com has found.
Officials estimate the tax will raise £600million annually by 2030/31.