Tax Hike Plan Is A Misstep
The UK’s eliquid vape tax hike plan is a misstep in the fight against smoking, according to the leading international health experts at Smoke Free Sweden
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by Dave Cross
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A plan to hike the tax on eliquid for vapes in the United Kingdom risks undermining the country’s efforts to reduce smoking rates and would increase smoking-related death and disease, according to the leading international health experts. The UK chancellor is reportedly considering the tax increase in the state budget this month. But specialists at Smoke Free Sweden say any rise could drive people who smoke back to far more dangerous cigarettes.
Dr Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden, says: “Vapes are proven to be 95% less harmful than combustible cigarettes and are helping millions of people who smoke worldwide transition to a safer option.
“Both Sweden and New Zealand have dramatically reduced their smoking rates in large part due to the availability and accessibility of alternative nicotine products like vapes. As a result, both countries are now on the verge of being declared smoke free and are reaping the subsequent public health dividend.
“Any policy that limits access to these alternatives - whether through taxation or other barriers - threatens to reverse such progress.”
Sweden is poised to be the first country in the world to become smoke free as a result of its progressive policy approach, which includes lowering taxes on reduced-risk products while increasing taxes on more harmful cigarettes.
Compared to the rest of the European Union, Sweden has 44% fewer smoking-related deaths, a 41% lower cancer rate and 38% fewer deaths attributable to any cancer.
“At Smoke Free Sweden, we advocate for sensible regulations that protect adult access to safer alternatives while discouraging underage uptake,” Dr Human said. “This includes restrictions on youth-oriented packaging and clear communication about the risks of nicotine.
“However, excessive taxation of harm reduction products is a step in the wrong direction. Rather than penalising vapers, governments should focus on creating an environment where adults have easy access to safer alternatives and are supported in their efforts to quit smoking.
“We urge the UK government to reconsider this proposed tax increase and to look towards evidence-based policies that have been successful in Sweden and other progressive nations. The world now has the tools to create a healthier, smoke-free future. We must not sacrifice those tools, which are already helping millions of people quit smoking for good.”
Smoke Free Sweden is a campaign which encourages other countries to follow the Swedish model when it comes to tobacco harm reduction. Sweden is about to become the first ‘smoke free’ European country, with a smoking rate of below 5 percent. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to Sweden’s open attitude towards alternative products.
References:
- Smoke Free Sweden - www.smokefreesweden.org
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.
