I managed to stock up with my favourite liquids recently and then compared what this would cost me had I been subject to the new tax. The difference is completely obscene.
The taxation was intended to reduce teenage and underage vaping but we all know the younger vapers are more likely to buy disposable vapes rather than ordering bulk items online.
I made a comparison between items I regularly buy that demonstrates the tax disparity between buying disposable vapes and shortfill liquids
Shortfill example (Kingston 500ml, no nicotine)
Current Price: £26.99
Tax to be added on top: £110 (500*0.22)
Total when new taxation applied: £126.99
110 is 86.62% of 126.99
126.99 is a 370.50% increase of 26.99
£0.25 per ml
Disposable example (Lost Mary 15k Nera refill 12ml)
Current Price: £6.99
Tax to be added on top: £2.64
Total when new taxation applied: £9.63
2.64 is 27.41% of 9.63
9.63 is a 37.76% increase of 6.99
£0.8 per ml
While the price per ml of the disposable is higher, the amount of actual taxation is lower.
Your average teenager isn't going to be all-to-concerned that their vape is going to increase by a couple of quid; they will just pay it and continue whereas those of us buying shortfill are going to get an eye-watering wallet-raping seeing a 370% increase in prices, not to mention having to purchase nic shots on top of that which could add a further £60 to the £126 example figure.
This is an unprecedented levy on goods, when have we seen 370% slapped on anything previously. Its so obscene, I could literally vape malt whiskey at a cheaper pence per ml or possibly even expensive Champagne.
Sorry for the rant but I just can't believe there isn't more uproar about this and from what I've seen the only petitions about it were closed over a year ago and had very little interest.
Is it worth petitioning again?