Tag Archive for: vaping tax

The Polish government is set to discuss a draft amendment to the Excise Tax Act, which proposes extending the excise tax to additional nicotine-containing products, including reusable e-cigarettes, HTPs, and nicotine pouches. The amendment also seeks to broaden the definition of so-called “innovative products.”

According to the draft’s Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), the excise tax rate for vaporization devices, such as reusable e-cigarettes, HTPs, and multifunctional devices, will be set at 40 PLN per unit. For reusable devices, the 40 PLN excise tax will be paid once, and the device can be refilled with liquid or used for vaporizing innovative products multiple times. Considering the average lifespan of vaporization devices is about two years, the excise tax included in the selling price will be spread over the entire period of use.

The RIA also states that excise tax rates for nicotine pouches and other nicotine products will be subject to a “roadmap,” with the rate set at 150 PLN/kg in 2025, 200 PLN/kg in 2026, and a target rate of 250 PLN/kg in 2027.

The Ministry of Finance estimates that the state budget revenues from the amendment will amount to 82.5 million PLN in 2025 and 433.7 million PLN in 2026. From 2027 to 2034, the annual revenue is expected to reach 524.7 million PLN, totaling over 4.71 billion PLN over the decade.

The draft’s authors expect the changes to limit the affordability of vaporization devices, particularly disposable e-cigarettes, especially for the younger population who are beginning to use addictive substances that lead to irreversible health damage.

The revised definition of innovative products in the proposed amendment recognizes products designed to deliver aerosol to the human body, generated by heating the contained tobacco without combustion, in specially adapted devices (heaters).

Currently, the Excise Tax Act defines innovative products as those containing tobacco. However, the authors of the amendment note that non-tobacco products, both with and without nicotine, have emerged on the market, which do not fall under the current definition of innovative products and, thus, are not subject to excise tax. These products often replace tobacco with any suitable raw material, most often plant-based, such as tea, hemp, or rooibos. Consequently, the need has arisen to include these products in the excise tax system by adapting the current definition of innovative products to the changes in the market for tobacco product substitutes.

As the Polish government prepares to discuss the draft amendment, the vaping industry and consumers alike will closely monitor the potential impact of the proposed excise tax on the accessibility and affordability of reusable e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

On Friday(01/10/2025), Maine Governor Janet Mills unveiled her biennial budget proposal, which includes a significant increase in the state’s tobacco taxes to balance spending with revenue. The governor aims to raise the cigarette tax from its current rate of $2 per pack, which was last adjusted in 2005, to $3 per pack. Maine currently has the lowest cigarette tax, the highest adult smoking rate, and the second-highest youth smoking rate in New England, which Governor Mills cites as justification for the proposed tax hike.

Read more

Vaping Companies Shift Manufacturing to Indonesia Amid U.S.-China Trade Tensions

The vaping industry faces a significant challenge as global trade tensions, particularly between the United States and China, continue to escalate. With the U.S. poised to increase tariffs on Chinese imports, vaping companies must adapt to avoid skyrocketing costs, supply chain disruptions, and diminished competitiveness in one of the world’s largest markets. This article explores the impact of these tariffs on the vaping industry and how companies are responding to secure their future growth.

Read more

Overview of Vape Tax Structures and Regulations in Southeast Asian Countries

Southeast Asia presents a diverse and complex landscape when it comes to the regulation and taxation of e-cigarettes. Countries in the region have adopted a wide range of policies, from implementing comprehensive tax structures to outright banning vaping products. The regulatory environment in each nation is shaped by its unique approach to public health and tobacco control, resulting in a patchwork of policies that impact both consumers and businesses across Southeast Asia.

Read more

The European Union (EU) currently does not enforce a uniform vape tax across its 27 member states, leading to a varied landscape of taxation policies for e-cigarettes and related products. More than half of the EU countries have introduced taxes on e-liquids based on volume, categorizing them under consumption taxes. However, the tax rates and structures differ significantly across the region.

Types of Vape Tax Structures

EU countries generally adopt one of four tax structures when it comes to vaping products:

  1. Specific Taxation: A fixed amount is applied per unit of product, such as per milliliter of e-liquid.
  2. Ad Valorem Taxation: The tax is based on a percentage of the product’s value.
  3. Tiered Taxation: Different tax rates are applied to different product categories.
  4. Mixed Taxation: A combination of specific and ad valorem taxes is used.

These taxes may apply to all vape products, including devices, accessories, and e-liquids, or they may be limited to nicotine-containing e-liquids only.

Vape Tax Policies Across the EU

The following table provides an overview of the vape tax policies implemented by various EU member states:

Conclusion

The vape taxation landscape in the European Union is diverse, with member states adopting various tax structures and rates. While some countries have introduced specific taxes on e-liquids based on volume, others rely solely on value-added tax (VAT). The tax rates and policies vary significantly across the region, with some countries planning progressive increases in the coming years. As the e-cigarette market continues to evolve, it is essential for businesses and consumers to stay informed about the taxation policies in their respective countries to ensure compliance and make informed decisions.

Monopoly Office Chief Calls for Equalizing Tobacco and E-Cigarette Taxation, Cites Public Health Concerns

The Austrian government plans to introduce a new tax on nicotine in e-cigarettes, which will allow for additional funds to be channeled into the state treasury, according to a report by the Kronen Zeitung newspaper on December 11.

Read more

The vaping industry braces for significant changes in the coming years as a vape tax, set to be introduced in October 2026, and increasing regulations reshape the market. While these transformative challenges may seem daunting, they also present opportunities for those ready to adapt.

Read more

As of July 1, 2023, the Canadian government has implemented a 12 percent increase in the federal vape tax, resulting in higher prices for all vapers across the country. The two most populous provinces, Ontario and Quebec, along with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, have joined the national government’s “tax partnership” scheme, effectively doubling the tax rate for vapers in these regions.

Read more

The Department of Finance has released draft regulations to expand Canada’s coordinated vaping taxation framework, aiming to curb the alarmingly high vaping rates among young people in the country. The proposed regulations would enable Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Yukon, and Prince Edward Island to join the existing framework, which already includes Ontario, Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

Read more

As e-cigarettes continue to gain popularity worldwide, governments are increasingly targeting them as a source of tax revenue. Tax authorities correctly recognize that money spent on e-cigarettes is money not spent on traditional tobacco products, which governments have relied on for decades as a source of income. The question of whether vape devices and e-liquids should be taxed like tobacco is hardly the point; governments see that they are driving smokers away from tobacco, and they understand that the lost revenue must be made up. Because vapes look like smoking, and because the public health community is strongly opposed to them, they make an attractive target for politicians, especially since they can justify taxation with various dubious health claims.

Read more