William Eichler 09 March 2022

Council chiefs call for VAT cut on vaping products

Council chiefs call for VAT cut on vaping products  image
Image: Amani A / Shutterstock.com.

The Government should cut Value Added Tax (VAT) on the sale of vaping products to help people to stop smoking, local authority leaders say.

To mark No Smoking Day, the Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for VAT on e-cigarette sales to be reduced from 20% to 5% to bring it in line with sales on nicotine gum and patches.

Current legislation allows a 5% rate to be applied to ‘pharmaceutical products designed to help people stop smoking tobacco’.

Citing a recent study, the LGA argues that people who use vaping products such as e-cigarettes are twice as likely to stop smoking than those who use nicotine patches.

‘Council public health teams work hard to help reduce smoking rates in their areas, alongside local charities and community groups, and it is testament to their efforts that smoking rates continue to fall,’ said Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s community wellbeing board.

‘Cutting the VAT on the sale of e-cigarettes would be an important way to continue to encourage more people to quit smoking and would bring e-cigarettes in line with other cessation methods such as patches and gum.’

As well as reducing VAT on e-cigarettes, councils are calling on the Government to impose a Smokefree 2030 Levy on tobacco manufacturers. The revenue generated from this could be targeted in geographical areas, occupational groups and communities where the need for cessation services are most needed.

‘There is increasing evidence that e-cigarettes, along with other dedicated support, act as an important gateway to help people to stop smoking, which reduces serious illness and death as well as other pressures on health and care services,’ Cllr Fothergill continued.

‘Every pound invested by government in council-run services such as public health helps to relieve pressure on other services like the NHS, criminal justice and welfare.

‘Councils can help the Government to achieve its ambition of eliminating smoking in England by 2030, through their tobacco control and other public health and support services, but need certainty over their long-term funding.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner