A VAPE tax is being considered as part of sneaky plans to push people to quit – while disposable products could be BANNED.
Proposals for a new levy on e-cigs were buried in the small-print of today's King’s Speech.
Ministers announced the consultation as part of a smoking crackdown that will eventually phase out fags.
They vowed to take “action on the affordability of vapes, including exploring a new duty on vapes as other countries have done”.
But they suggested any tax would still be less than cigarettes, by “ensuring that there is a significant differential between duty vapes and tobacco products”.
It will spark fresh fears Rishi Sunak is embarking on a nanny state drive to price Brits out of vaping.
While the government wants to actually promote vaping to help smokers quit, it is toughening laws generally.
READ MORE ON POLITICS
HOUSE ABOUT THAT
Huge change for renters revealed in 2023 King's Speech
KICK START
Biggest shake up to football ownership in years as regulator’s powers confirmed
The consultation will consider measures to “restrict the sale and supply of disposable vapes, including considering prohibiting their sale”.
The tough new anti-smoking measures would see the smoking age increased by a year every year to eventually make it illegal for anyone to buy cigarettes.
The ban will be subject to a "free vote" in Parliament, meaning MPs will not be told how to vote by party enforcers.
But Labour has confirmed its intention to vote with the government, so the new law will fly through parliament.
Most read in The Sun
TEAR IT DOWN
Captain Tom’s daughter ordered to demolish spa complex after losing appeal
KING’S STAMP
Crime crackdown, smoking ban & green light for self-driving cars confirmed
HEIR MILES
Harry flies on fuel-guzzling private jet owned by oil heir to attend concert
READY TO RUMBA
Former Strictly star ‘confirms’ Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola romance
The plan was originally rejected by ministers when suggested previously.
But Mr Sunak has now said: "People take up cigarettes when they are young. Four in five smokers have started by the time they are 20. Later, the vast majority try to quit.
"But many fail because they are addicted and they wish had never taken up the habit in the first place."
Source: Read Full Article
