Cost of e-ciggies set to soar next year.
Milton Keynes vape puffers are among the people most likely to be searching online about the pastime and its equipment, according to new research.
Findings from e-cigarette experts Vape Superstore show that Milton Keynes is the UK city with the third highest online searches per 100,000 residents, with 930 monthly searches.
And using average income data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the research shows that, based on an average salary of £40,125, vapers in Milton Keynes currently spend 1.61% of their wages on e-cigarettes.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget announced that the cost of vaping will increase with the introduction of a new tax as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The levy of £2.20 per 10ml of e-cigarette liquid, which kicks in from October 2026, will have an impact on the affordability of vaping for millions of Brits, with a particular impact on those in low-income groups, say experts. More than 5.6 million people across the UK now vape.
According to data from Vape Superstore, the average user spends around £648 a year on vaping. Their data shows that this cost will increase to £912 a year – up by over 40% following the introduction of the new tax. The increase as a result of the tax will mean MK vapers’ yearly spend on e-ciggies will rise to around 2.27% of their annual salary.
“The government’s decision to increase tax on e-cigarettes could likely do more harm than good by pricing those in low income areas out of safe and affordable methods to quit smoking,” said Vape Superstore’s David Phillips.
“The NHS notes that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking and provides an effective option for those wishing to reduce their smoking habit. By increasing costs to those wishing to curb tobacco use, we risk putting those who need it the most, out of pocket.”
Top five cities searching for vapes:
- Glasgow
- Norwich
- Milton Keynes
- Sunderland
- Leeds
