WVA Responds to the Budget Statement
The World Vapers’ Alliance has responded to the Budget statement from Jeremy Hunt MP and says the vaping tax jeopardises the United Kingdom’s success in beating smoking
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by Dave Cross
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The recent policy changes, including the proposed generational ban for less harmful heat-not-burn products and disposable vapes, are a step in the wrong direction, says the head of the global vaping consumer movement, World Vapers’ Alliance, Michael Landl.
“Higher prices for less harmful vapes are placing the lives of millions of former smokers and current vapers in jeopardy. The cost is a high determinant for switching to less harmful options and this will only make alternative products less affordable. It's illogical to discuss reducing taxes for individuals while simultaneously raising taxes on smoking cessation aids,” said Landl.
According to the reports, the UK Treasury expects to raise more than £500m a year by 2028-29 between the vaping tax and the increase in tobacco duty.
“Just last year, the UK government took a pioneering step in harm reduction policy by introducing the innovative 'swap to stop' program. The new tax increase is a huge step backwards and risks leading to the growth of the black market and illicit trade in e-cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products,” added Landl.
Michael Landl concluded: “The UK should follow the example of Sweden which last year lowered the tax on snus, its leading harm reduction product. Now, Sweden is about to become the first smoke-free country in the world. The UK could be the leader of smoking cessation thanks to vaping.”
The World Vapers’ Alliance says it, “amplifies the voices of vapers worldwide and empowers them to make a difference for their communities. Our members are vapers associations as well as individual vapers from all over the world.”
Michael Landl is the director of the World Vapers’ Alliance. He is from Austria and is based in Vienna. He is an experienced policy professional and a passionate vaper. He studied at the University of St. Gallen and worked for several public policy outlets and as well in the German Parliament.
References:
- The World Vapers’ Alliance – www.worldvapersalliance.com
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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