The UK Vape Tax Is Coming — Here's What Every Vaper Needs to Know
From 1 October 2026, the UK government will introduce the Vaping Products Duty (VPD) — a new tax on e-liquids that will push up the price of vaping products across the country. Whether you vape every day or just occasionally, this change will affect how much you pay for your e-liquids, nic salts, shortfills, prefilled vapes, and cartomiser refills.
At Vapours Club, we want to make sure our customers are fully informed and ready. Here's everything you need to know about the UK vape tax — and how to prepare before prices rise.
What Is the UK Vape Tax (Vaping Products Duty)?
The Vaping Products Duty was announced as part of the UK government's Autumn Budget. It brings vaping products into a regulated tax framework, similar to tobacco duty. The levy applies to the liquid used in all vaping products, including e-liquids, nicotine salts, shortfills, prefilled vapes, and cartomiser refills.
The duty rates are:
- Nicotine-containing e-liquids: £2.20 per 10ml
- Nicotine-free e-liquids: £1.00 per 10ml
To put that into perspective, a standard 100ml shortfill could attract up to £22.00 in duty alone, and a 10ml nic salt bottle could rise by £2.20. These costs will be passed on to consumers at the point of sale.
When Does the UK Vape Tax Start?
The Vaping Products Duty comes into effect on 1 October 2026. That gives UK vapers just a few months to prepare — and the sooner you act, the more you can save.
How Much Will Vape Prices Increase?
The impact on retail prices will be significant. Here's a rough guide to expected price increases after 1 October 2026:
- 10ml nic salt bottles — rise by approximately £2.20 per bottle
- 50ml shortfills — increase by around £11.00
- 100ml shortfills — increase by up to £22.00
- Prefilled vapes — also subject to the duty based on their e-liquid volume
- Cartomiser refills — subject to the duty based on their liquid volume and nicotine content
While retailers will work hard to remain competitive, the scale of the Vaping Products Duty means price increases across the industry are unavoidable.
What About Cartomiser Refills?
If you use a cartomiser-based vaping system, you'll want to pay close attention to how the vape tax affects your refills. Cartomiser refills contain e-liquid and will be subject to the Vaping Products Duty in the same way as other e-liquid products.
The duty will be calculated based on the volume of liquid and its nicotine content:
- Nicotine-containing cartomiser refills will attract £2.20 per 10ml of liquid
- Nicotine-free cartomiser refills will attract £1.00 per 10ml of liquid
For regular cartomiser users, this could add up quickly — making it well worth stocking up on your preferred refills before 1 October 2026. At Vapours Club, we stock a range of cartomiser refills at today's pre-tax prices, so now is the perfect time to buy in bulk and save.
🛒 Browse cartomiser refills and e-liquids at Vapours Club before the vape tax hits.
How to Prepare for the UK Vape Tax — Stock Up Now at Vapours Club
The smartest thing you can do right now is stock up at today's prices before the tax kicks in on 1 October 2026. Here's how to get ahead:
- Buy your favourite e-liquids and cartomiser refills in bulk now — lock in current prices before the duty applies
- Go for larger bottle sizes — 100ml shortfills offer the best value per ml and are worth stocking up on
- Switch to shortfills — if you currently buy 10ml bottles, shortfills with nicotine shots may offer better long-term value post-tax
- Watch out for our pre-tax deals — we'll be running special offers at Vapours Club ahead of October 2026 to help you save
🛒 Browse our full e-liquid range at Vapours Club and stock up while prices are still at their lowest.
UK Vape Tax 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
When does the UK vape tax start?
The Vaping Products Duty comes into effect on 1 October 2026, as announced in the UK government's Autumn Budget.
How much is the UK vape tax?
The duty is £2.20 per 10ml for nicotine-containing e-liquids and £1.00 per 10ml for nicotine-free e-liquids. This is applied at the point of manufacture or import and will be reflected in retail prices.
Does the vape tax apply to cartomiser refills?
Yes. Cartomiser refills contain e-liquid and are subject to the Vaping Products Duty. Nicotine-containing refills will attract £2.20 per 10ml, and nicotine-free refills will attract £1.00 per 10ml. Stocking up before October 2026 is strongly recommended.
Does the vape tax apply to prefilled vapes?
Yes. Prefilled vapes contain e-liquid and are fully subject to the Vaping Products Duty. Expect retail prices to increase from October 2026.
Does the vape tax apply to nicotine-free e-liquids?
Yes, but at a lower rate of £1.00 per 10ml, compared to £2.20 per 10ml for nicotine-containing liquids.
Will shortfill e-liquids be taxed?
Yes. Shortfills are subject to the duty based on their volume. A 100ml nicotine-free shortfill would attract £10.00 in duty; a 100ml shortfill with nicotine would attract £22.00. Stocking up before October 2026 is strongly recommended.
Can I stock up before the vape tax comes in?
Yes — and we'd strongly encourage it! Buying e-liquids and cartomiser refills before 1 October 2026 means paying today's prices with no added duty. Shop at Vapours Club now to get ahead.
Will vaping still be cheaper than smoking after the tax?
Yes. Even with the Vaping Products Duty, vaping is expected to remain significantly cheaper than smoking cigarettes in the UK. The tax is designed to maintain that gap while bringing vaping into a regulated framework.
Where can I buy e-liquids and cartomiser refills before the vape tax hits?
Shop our full range of e-liquids and cartomiser refills at Vapours Club online or visit us in store. We stock a huge selection of nic salts, shortfills, cartomiser refills, and disposables at competitive pre-tax prices right now.
Final Thoughts — Beat the Vape Tax at Vapours Club
The UK vape tax is coming, but being prepared makes all the difference. With e-liquid and cartomiser refill prices set to rise significantly from 1 October 2026, now is the ideal time to stock up on your favourites and save money in the long run.
At Vapours Club, we're committed to keeping our prices as competitive as possible and will continue to offer the best value for our customers before and after the Vaping Products Duty comes into effect. Keep an eye out for our exclusive pre-tax deals and bulk buy offers.
🛒 Shop e-liquids and cartomiser refills at Vapours Club today — beat the vape tax before it hits on 1 October 2026.