UK Vape Tax 2026: What It Means (And How To Keep Your Costs Sensible)

The UK vape tax is coming in 2026, and if you vape and run on a tight budget, or you just like knowing what you’re paying for, you’ve probably already heard the rumours.

Some people are treating it like the end of vaping. Others are acting like it will not change anything. The truth, like most things, is somewhere in the middle.

Today we are going to talk about what the 2026 vape tax is, why it is happening, how it is likely to affect prices, and what you can do to avoid your wallet getting stung by tax madness.

First, what is the UK vape tax?

In simple terms, the government is adding an excise duty (a tax) onto vaping products.

Duty is not the same as VAT. VAT is added to almost all goods at the point of sale. Duty is charged to the company before the point of sale. It is done like this to push up prices on specific goods. 

Why are Excise Duties used?

The answer comes in 2 parts. First, by forcing the market to increase the price, it helps ensure that children who don't have an income can't gain access to it. Though we advise the government to consider the implications of pushing these at risk groups towards even worse bad actors.

The second part is that it generates income. In the case of cigarettes, this provides money that could go to the NHS, something that we would be happy for the duty on vapes to be used for, but it also provides money for policing and other services too.

They will tell you it is about protecting kids. They will tell you it is about discouraging use. They will tell you it is about “public health”.

But whatever the headline is, the practical outcome is the same.

If you buy vape products in the UK, you should expect pricing to change.

Why this matters more than people think

A lot of people hear “tax” and assume it’s just a small increase. Sometimes it is.

But the bigger change is how the market adjusts around it. When e-liquid costs rise, pricing and promos shift across brands and retailers, and you’ll naturally see more variation in “deals” and multibuys.

That’s not a bad thing. The smart move is just to compare like-for-like and stick to legitimate sources, especially when it comes to e-liquid, so you’re getting real value and not just the lowest number.

The real risk: the return of the too-good-to-be-true bargain

Whenever legitimate products get more expensive, counterfeiters get more confident.

It is the same story as fake trainers, fake car parts, fake perfume, fake anything.

If the genuine product is £10 and you see it for £5, most people don’t think “dodgy”. They think “deal”. And to be fair, real 50% off promos do happen.

The problem is when you’re in deal-hunting mode, it’s easy to miss the difference between:a genuine, time-limited promotion from a legitimate retailer, and a seller whose “normal price” is permanently miles under the market.

So if it’s not clearly a promo, not from a retailer you recognise, and it’s consistently under the usual price, that’s often not a bargain, it’s a red flag.

That is how people get caught.

Not because they are stupid.

Because the pricing landscape changes and the fake market adapts fast.

What will actually go up in price?

The Duty being imposed is specifically on the e-liquid component of vaping. This means that anything that contains e-liquid will have its price increased by the duty rate+VAT based on the amount of eliquid present. 

This is on all forms of eliquid, whether it is nicotine free, or just intended to be vaped when combined with other components (such as PG or VG) 

Only e-liquid. That’s what the new vaping duty is being applied to.This increase is government-driven. It’s not brands randomly putting prices up, it’s the government adding a new charge onto e-liquid, which then gets passed through the supply chain to the shelf price.

This is the part where people want an exact number.

What’s being discussed is £0.22 per ml of e-liquid, plus VAT on the duty. That means the biggest increases will hit products where you’re rebuying more regularly.

A simple way to think about it: 10ml bottle: 10ml x £0.22 = £2.20 duty (then VAT (20%) applied on top of that duty)10+2 style refill: you’re paying duty across that total liquid volume too, so these are likely to feel the increase most, because they’re a high-volume, frequently replaced purchase.

And this is where the “dodgy dealer” risk ramps up: if e-liquid gets more expensive, some sellers will try to pass off cheap PG/VG that’s meant for cosmetics (with cosmetic-grade additives) as vape liquid. Those additives can be very harmful if inhaled.

“So what do I do?” Practical ways to protect your wallet

You do not need to panic-buy. You do not need to stockpile like it is the apocalypse.

But you do need to be smart.

1. Know the normal price of what you use

This sounds basic, but it is the best defence against getting ripped off.

If you know your pods are normally £X, you will spot the suspicious listings instantly.

And if you see a deal that is genuinely good, you will also recognise it as a promotion, not a red flag.

2. Buy from legitimate retailers

I know, everyone says this.

But there is a reason.

Legitimate retailers have real supplier accounts, real invoices, real compliance checks, and real consequences if they mess around.

Random marketplace sellers do not.

Do not follow “amazing deals” from social media sites! These are very often dodgy due to the fact that nicotine products are not allowed to be advertised in these places.

3. Use multibuys properly (not impulsively)

Multibuys are not just a “marketing trick”. They are a way to keep your average cost down.

If you already know what flavour you like,buying 3 or 5 at once can soften the impact of duty increases.

The key is not buying 10 bottles of something you are bored of after 2 days.

4. Consider refillable systems if you are still stuck in the disposable loop

This is where the maths starts to favour refillables.

A 10ml bottle is usually far better value than buying 10+2 refills, because with 10+2 you’re paying for the liquid plus the plastic tank every time. With a refillable pod system, you keep the device and just top up.

And the savings stack up because you’re not replacing the whole tank each time. A pod or coil used with a 10ml bottle can often last 2, 3, 4+ bottles if you look after it (right liquid, correct wattage, don’t chain vape, prime it properly).

So instead of paying for a new “tank + liquid” every time, you’re mainly paying for the liquid, and only swapping the pod/coil when it’s actually done.

5. Do not chase the cheapest option when the category is being taxed

This is the big one.

When prices rise, the “cheapest option” is often where corners get cut, and in vaping that usually means the liquid. Devices may even drop in price to tempt people in, but e-liquid is where you’re more likely to feel the squeeze.

UK-regulated nicotine vapes are covered by TPD rules, with strict limits and banned/restricted chemicals to keep standards high. Public Health England has also previously stated vaping is around 95% less harmful than smoking, but that assumes you are using regulated products, not unknown liquids.

So save money smartly: buy compliant, buy legit, and remember cheap is not the same as value.

What we do differently (and why it matters more in 2026)

At VapeHQ and QLabs, we are not here to play the race-to-the-bottom game.

We focus on compliant products, proper testing, and products that are made to a consistent standard.

That means:

• Products designed around UK compliance

• Proper packaging and safety features (like child-resistant caps and secure vacuum sealing)

• Clear product information so you know what you are buying

• Supply chains we can stand behind

Does that always make us the absolute cheapest?

No.

But we can still help you keep costs sensible through multibuys, better-fitting setups (so you’re not burning through pods/coils), and refillable options that work out cheaper over time for a lot of people.

Because in a market where duty is pushing prices up and counterfeiters are looking for opportunity, cheap is not the same as value.

The bottom line

The 2026 vape tax will change pricing. That part is unavoidable.

What is avoidable is getting caught out by fake products, dodgy sellers, or buying patterns that cost you more than they should.

Know your normal pricing. Buy from legitimate sources. Use multibuys wisely. And if you are still relying on disposables, consider whether a refillable system could save you money long-term.

If you want help choosing a setup that fits your budget, pop into one of our stores or shop online and message us with what you currently use. We will point you in the right direction.

If you’re unsure what you should be using week to week, come into one of 29 stores across the UK and we can help you map it out properly. Tell us what you smoke (or used to smoke), how often you vape, and what device you’re on, and we’ll give you a realistic idea of how much liquid or how many pods you’re likely to get through in a week, so you can budget without guessing. We can also help you step down nicotine strength at a pace that feels comfortable, so you’re not overdoing it or constantly buying the wrong strength and wasting money.

We can also keep you in the loop with price changes, new arrivals, and the best-value multibuys through our mailing list, so you’re not relying on rumours or getting caught out when the market shifts. And just to be clear, we’re not here to push products for the sake of it. Our goal is to reach more adult smokers and offer a genuine service that helps people move away from cigarettes and stay off them, regardless of whatever changes the government brings in to guide public consumption and habits. If you ever want advice, pop in-store or message us online and we’ll point you in the right direction.