Vape Tax 'is scientifically and economically illiterate' says IEA

Commenting on the government’s plans to tax e-cigarette fluid, Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at the free market think tank, the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:

"This is a deeply cynical cash grab from the Chancellor. Forget sin taxes, this is a saint tax. Vapers did what the government wanted and gave up smoking. They are now being punished for it.

"This is scientifically and economically illiterate. Combined with the ban on disposable vapes, it seems the government is intent on keeping people smoking. Not only will the tax close the price gap between vapes and cigarettes, it will send a message to the public that the health risks are similar. Since most people in Britain already wrongly believe that vaping is at least as dangerous as smoking, the government’s reckless greed will cost lives. As a former health minister, Mr Hunt should be ashamed."