Zimbabwe Introduces New Vaping Tax: E-Cigarette Prices Set to Rise
The Zimbabwean government has announced a new excise duty on electronic cigarettes, signaling a significant shift in its approach to vaping products. Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube unveiled the measure during Thursday’s Mid Term Budget Review, declaring a tax of US$0.50 per milliliter on e-cigarette contents.
This new tax aims to address the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, particularly among Zimbabwe’s youth. By increasing the cost of vaping products, the government hopes to discourage their use and promote healthier alternatives. The tax will apply to all e-cigarette types, including vape pens and e-liquids.
“In order to curb the negative externalities associated with the consumption of electronic cigarettes, I propose to introduce Excise Duty at the rate of US$0.5 per ml of contents of every electronic cigarette,” Professor Ncube stated during the budget review.
The government plans to direct the funds generated from this new tax towards various public health programs. These include anti-smoking campaigns, tobacco control initiatives, and research on the health effects of e-cigarettes. Additionally, a portion of the revenue will support small and medium-sized enterprises in the tobacco industry that have been impacted by the e-cigarette boom.
While the exact implementation date is yet to be announced, government officials have assured stakeholders of a gradual rollout. This approach aims to give manufacturers, distributors, and retailers time to adapt to the new regulations.
The e-cigarette tax is part of a larger government strategy to promote public health through fiscal policy. In the 2024 budget, Zimbabwe introduced a sugar levy on beverages, with the proceeds earmarked for cancer equipment and medication procurement.
As these new measures take effect, Zimbabweans can expect to see changes in the pricing and availability of e-cigarettes and related products. The government’s approach reflects a growing global trend of using taxation to discourage potentially harmful behaviors while funding important health initiatives.
News source: Government ups sin tax- vaping to cost more
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