UK, La UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) asks the government to consider a VAT rate similar to that currently applied to nicotine replacement therapy (TNR).
REDUCE THE GAP IN VAT BETWEEN VAPE AND TNRs
La UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) takes advantage of the decline of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) in the country to ask the government to consider a relaxed VAT rate for vaping.
The appeal comes as the Chancellor Rishi sunak (Conservative Party member) is considering reducing the VAT rate following the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, as the government last did during the 2008 economic downturn.
In a letter, UKVIA urged the Chancellor to consider a level playing field regarding the VAT rate between nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and vaping products. The goal is obviously to help adult smokers to quit smoking through vaping.
The letter points to the recent report " Vaping in england "Of Public Health England (PHE) which found that when vaping products were used to try to quit, alone or with licensed drugs, success rates were comparable to, if not superior, to licensed drugs.
The report highlights the current VAT gap between TNR products (5%) et the vape ( 20% VAT, the same as for tobacco) despite the fact that e-cigarettes, although not a cessation product, have significant potential for positive public health impact. This is supported by research commissioned by the NHS (National Health Service) last year which found that e-cigarettes are twice as effective as nicotine patches, gums or sprays in quitting smoking.
John Dunne, Director of UKVIA, said: " While the country is still in the recovery phase of Covid-19, a significant reduction in VAT for vaping products would be profitable both economically and from a health point of view ". He adds " A VAT rate for vape comparable to TNR would also support the call in the recent Public Health England report for smokers to be encouraged to try regulated vape products, quit smoking drugs and to be granted a behavioral support to increase their chances of successfully quitting smoking. »
