If you are wondering how much vapes will cost after October 2026, the answer depends on how much e-liquid a vape product contains. The UK's new Vaping Products Duty (VPD) came into force on 1 October 2026 and introduces a duty of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid.

Unlike a simple percentage-based price increase, the new vape duty is charged according to the amount of e-liquid contained in a product. This means a small 10ml bottle will see a much smaller increase than a product containing 20ml, 40ml, 100ml or more of e-liquid.

At VapePlay UK, we stock a wide selection of prefilled vape kits, replacement pods, e-liquids, vape devices and nicotine pouches. In this guide, we explain how the new vape tax works and use current VapePlay prices to show how different products could be affected.

Important: The prices shown after the tax are estimates based on the current £2.20 per 10ml duty and VAT treatment. The final retail price can vary because manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers decide how the additional cost is reflected in their pricing.

What Is the UK Vape Tax Starting in October 2026?

The new tax is officially known as Vaping Products Duty. It came into force across the UK on 1 October 2026.

The duty is charged at:

• £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid
• 22p per ml
• The duty applies whether the liquid contains nicotine or is nicotine-free
• VAT continues to apply to vaping products

Because VAT is charged on the duty, the estimated additional cost at retail level can work out at approximately 26.4p per ml when the full duty and VAT effect is passed through.

For example, a 10ml bottle would attract £2.20 in duty. With VAT on that additional duty, the estimated total increase is approximately £2.64.

When Did the New Vape Duty Start?

The UK Vaping Products Duty started on 1 October 2026. From this date, liable vaping products manufactured in or imported into the UK are subject to the new excise duty.

There is also a transition period for older stock. Eligible vaping products manufactured or imported before 1 October 2026 can continue to be sold without the new duty stamp until 31 March 2027. From 1 April 2027, vaping products sold in the UK must have the appropriate vaping duty stamp where required.

This means customers may see some products remain at their existing price for a period while retailers sell through qualifying pre-existing stock. Prices can therefore change at different times rather than all products increasing on exactly the same day.

How Is the Vape Tax Calculated?

The easiest way to estimate the effect of the new duty is to look at the amount of e-liquid inside the product.

E-Liquid Volume	Duty at 22p/ml	Estimated Duty + VAT Effect
2ml	£0.44	About £0.53
4ml	£0.88	About £1.06
10ml	£2.20	About £2.64
12ml	£2.64	About £3.17
22ml	£4.84	About £5.81
40ml	£8.80	About £10.56
100ml	£22.00	About £26.40

This is why products with larger e-liquid capacities can experience a much larger increase than smaller 2ml or 4ml pods.

How Much Could VapePlay Products Cost After October 2026?

To make the new duty easier to understand, we have used several products currently listed on VapePlay UK and applied the estimated duty and VAT effect to their listed prices.

These figures are illustrative estimates only. They are not guaranteed future VapePlay selling prices.

VapePlay Product	Liquid Capacity	Current Price	Estimated Increase	Estimated Price
Elux Legend 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid	10ml	£2.90	+£2.64	~£5.54
Crystal Pro CP 10K Prefilled Kit	12ml	£8.49	+£3.17	~£11.66
Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000	12ml	£8.44	+£3.17	~£11.61
Hayati Pro Ultra Plus 25K	22ml	£10.95	+£5.81	~£16.76
Pod Salt Nexus Zero 100ml Shortfill	100ml	£14.99	+£26.40	~£41.39

The calculations above demonstrate an important point: the tax is based on liquid volume rather than puff count.

Elux Legend 10ml E-Liquid: What Could Happen to the Price?

VapePlay currently lists Elux Legend 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid at £2.90, with multi-buy options also available.

Because the bottle contains 10ml of e-liquid, the basic duty is £2.20. Including the VAT effect on the duty, the estimated additional cost is around £2.64.

Item	Amount
Current VapePlay price	£2.90
E-liquid volume	10ml
Estimated duty	£2.20
Estimated duty + VAT effect	~£2.64
Illustrative price after full increase	~£5.54

This does not mean every 10ml bottle will automatically sell for £5.54. Retail pricing, promotions, supplier costs and existing stock can all affect the final shelf price.

What About 12ml Prefilled Vape Kits?

Some of the popular rechargeable prefilled products available at VapePlay contain around 12ml of total e-liquid capacity.

For example, the Crystal Pro CP 10K is currently listed at £8.49 and has a 2ml prefilled pod plus a 10ml refill capacity. The estimated duty and VAT effect on 12ml is approximately £3.17.

That would give an illustrative calculation of:

Calculation	Amount
Current price	£8.49
12ml estimated duty + VAT effect	~£3.17
Illustrative post-duty price	~£11.66

The Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000 is another example of a 12ml-style system currently listed by VapePlay. At its current £8.44 price, the same calculation would give an illustrative post-duty figure of around £11.61.

What About 25K High-Puff Vapes?

High-puff vape products can look inexpensive when compared by puff count, but the new duty is not calculated according to the number of advertised puffs.

The Hayati Pro Ultra Plus 25K currently listed at VapePlay is priced at £10.95 and has a 2ml plus 2 × 10ml e-liquid configuration, giving a total stated capacity of 22ml.

At 22ml, the estimated duty and VAT effect would be approximately £5.81.

Hayati Pro Ultra Plus 25K	Current
Current VapePlay price	£10.95
Total e-liquid capacity	22ml
Estimated duty + VAT effect	~£5.81
Illustrative price after full increase	~£16.76

This is an example of why larger-capacity prefilled systems can experience a greater absolute increase than a simple 2ml pod.

Will 100ml Shortfills Become Much More Expensive?

Large-format e-liquids are among the products that can see the biggest numerical increase because the duty is charged for every millilitre of vaping liquid.

VapePlay currently lists Pod Salt Nexus Zero 100ml Shortfill at £14.99.

A 100ml product would attract £22.00 of Vaping Products Duty. With the VAT effect included, the estimated additional cost would be approximately £26.40.

Pod Salt Nexus Zero 100ml	Estimate
Current listed price	£14.99
Liquid volume	100ml
Duty	£22.00
Estimated duty + VAT effect	~£26.40
Illustrative price after full increase	~£41.39

Large-volume bottles therefore deserve particular attention when comparing the potential effect of the new UK vape tax.

Does the Vape Tax Depend on Nicotine Strength?

No. The Vaping Products Duty is based on the volume of vaping liquid rather than the nicotine strength.

This means the same volume can attract the same duty whether the liquid contains nicotine or is nicotine-free.

For example, VapePlay also lists Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000 Pods Zero Nicotine with a stated 2ml + 10ml auto-refill configuration. The fact that the product is 0mg does not remove the vaping duty because the tax applies to the liquid itself.

Does the Vape Tax Apply to Every Vape Product?

Not every vaping-related product is taxed in the same way.

Product Category	Vaping Products Duty?	Why?
E-Liquid	Yes	Contains vaping liquid
Nicotine Salt 10ml	Yes	Contains vaping liquid
Prefilled Pods	Yes	Contains vaping liquid
Prefilled Vape Kits	Liquid component affected	Duty is based on the liquid
Shortfills	Yes	Contains vaping liquid
Vape Devices	No direct liquid duty	The device itself is not the taxable liquid
Replacement Coils	No direct liquid duty	No vaping liquid contained
Vape Batteries	No direct liquid duty	No vaping liquid contained
Nicotine Pouches	No Vaping Products Duty	They are not vaping liquid

What About Nicotine Pouches?

One important point for VapePlay customers is that nicotine pouches are not vaping products containing e-liquid, so the new Vaping Products Duty should not be confused with a tax on nicotine pouches.

VapePlay currently stocks nicotine pouch brands including Ubbs, Helwit, Just Juice, Pablo, 77, THOR, RUSH, SYX and Fumi.

For example, several of these products are currently listed at £4.99 or £5.95, with multi-buy offers such as Buy 2 for £8, Buy 2 for £10 or Buy 3 for £12.

Customers should still check the applicable UK rules for nicotine pouches separately, as product regulations and taxation can change independently of the Vaping Products Duty.

What About Vape Devices, Coils and Batteries?

If you are buying a rechargeable vape device, replacement coil or battery, the new liquid-based duty is different from the tax treatment of e-liquid.

The Vaping Products Duty is specifically calculated from the amount of vaping liquid. A standalone vape device does not contain the taxable liquid simply because it is used for vaping.

This makes rechargeable hardware and replacement components an important part of the wider vaping market after October 2026.

Will Vape Prices Increase Immediately?

Not necessarily.

The new duty came into force on 1 October 2026, but retailers can continue selling eligible unstamped stock that was produced or imported before the new duty started until 31 March 2027.

As a result, customers may see a mixture of old and new pricing during the transition period. Some products may increase sooner, while other products can remain at existing prices until current stock is replaced.

From 1 April 2027, the rules become stricter and retailers must not sell vaping products that should carry a duty stamp but do not have one.

What Happens to Vape Multi-Buy Deals?

Multi-buy offers are also affected by the amount of liquid contained in the products rather than simply the number of devices purchased.

For example, if a customer buys three 10ml bottles, the total liquid volume is 30ml. The duty calculation therefore applies to the combined 30ml volume.

Total Liquid	Estimated Duty	Estimated Duty + VAT Effect
10ml	£2.20	~£2.64
20ml	£4.40	~£5.28
30ml	£6.60	~£7.92
40ml	£8.80	~£10.56
100ml	£22.00	~£26.40

So while a multi-buy promotion can still offer better value per item, the underlying liquid volume remains relevant when calculating the potential tax impact.

How Can Vapers Save Money After the New Vape Tax?

The best approach is to compare the amount of e-liquid, current price and expected usage rather than looking only at puff counts.

1. Compare Liquid Volume

Because the duty is charged per millilitre, checking the total e-liquid capacity can help you understand the potential cost impact.

2. Look at Multi-Buy Offers

VapePlay regularly offers multi-buy deals across prefilled vapes, pods, e-liquids and nicotine pouches. These promotions can reduce the underlying product price even when taxation changes.

3. Consider Rechargeable Systems

Rechargeable pod and prefilled systems can provide a reusable device with replaceable pods rather than requiring a completely new device every time.

4. Compare Pods and E-Liquids

For compatible devices, replacement pods or bottled e-liquid can sometimes provide a different value proposition compared with buying an entirely new vape kit each time.

5. Check Current VapePlay Prices

Because prices and promotions can change, always check the current product page before purchasing rather than relying on an old price shown in an article.

Is Vaping Still Cheaper Than Smoking?

The cost comparison between vaping and smoking varies significantly depending on individual consumption, product choice and local prices.

The new Vaping Products Duty is designed to increase the cost of vaping products containing e-liquid, while tobacco duty has also been adjusted. The government has stated that the tobacco duty changes are intended to maintain a financial incentive for current smokers to switch to vaping.

For anyone comparing costs, it is therefore better to calculate their own weekly or monthly usage rather than assuming every vape user will experience the same price increase.

What Will Happen to Vape Prices in 2027?

The vaping market will continue to change as the new duty system becomes established.

From 1 January 2027, new digital vaping duty stamps will begin becoming mandatory for newly manufactured or imported products under the relevant rules. The wider transition period ends on 31 March 2027, after which unstamped products that require a duty stamp cannot be sold from 1 April 2027.

This means 2027 will be an important year for UK vape retailers and customers as the new duty and traceability system becomes fully established.

VapePlay UK: What Should Customers Expect?

At VapePlay, we offer a broad selection of UK vape products, including:

• Prefilled vape kits
• Replacement prefilled pods
• Nicotine salt e-liquids
• Shortfill e-liquids
• Rechargeable pod kits
• Vape devices
• Replacement pods and coils
• Nicotine pouches

Because each category can contain different amounts of e-liquid, there is no single percentage that can accurately describe how much every vape product will increase in price.

For example, a 10ml bottle and a 22ml prefilled kit do not receive the same duty amount. The 22ml product contains more than twice the liquid volume, so its potential duty impact is correspondingly higher.

Vape Tax 2026: Quick Summary

Question	Answer
When did the UK vape tax start?	1 October 2026
What is the duty rate?	£2.20 per 10ml / 22p per ml
Does it apply to nicotine-free liquid?	Yes
Does it apply to prefilled pods?	Yes, because they contain vaping liquid
Does puff count determine the tax?	No, liquid volume determines the duty
Are vape devices themselves subject to this liquid duty?	No direct Vaping Products Duty on the device itself
Are nicotine pouches subject to Vaping Products Duty?	No, they are not vaping liquid
When does the existing-stock transition end?	31 March 2027
When must relevant products have the required duty stamp?	From 1 April 2027 for products subject to the stamp requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will vapes cost after October 2026?

There is no single price increase for all vapes. The new Vaping Products Duty is £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, with the VAT effect potentially bringing the additional retail impact to around 26.4p per ml.

How much tax is there on a 10ml vape juice?

A 10ml bottle attracts £2.20 of Vaping Products Duty. Including the VAT effect on that duty, the estimated additional cost is around £2.64.

How much tax is there on a 20ml vape?

A 20ml product would attract £4.40 of Vaping Products Duty. Including the estimated VAT effect, the additional cost would be around £5.28.

How much will a 100ml vape juice cost after the tax?

A 100ml product attracts £22 of Vaping Products Duty. Including the VAT effect, the estimated additional cost is approximately £26.40, although the final retail price depends on the seller's pricing.

Will 2ml vape pods become more expensive?

Yes. A 2ml pod contains taxable vaping liquid, so the estimated duty and VAT effect is around 53p.

Will 12ml prefilled vape kits become more expensive?

Yes. A 12ml product would have an estimated duty and VAT effect of approximately £3.17.

Does the vape tax apply to 0mg e-liquid?

Yes. The duty applies to vaping liquid whether or not it contains nicotine.

Does the vape tax depend on nicotine strength?

No. The duty is calculated according to the volume of vaping liquid rather than the nicotine strength.

Does the vape tax apply to nicotine pouches?

No. Vaping Products Duty applies to vaping liquid. Nicotine pouches are a separate product category and should not be confused with e-liquid or vape products.

Will vape devices become more expensive because of the new vape tax?

The Vaping Products Duty is a duty on vaping liquid rather than a direct tax on standalone hardware such as a vape device, battery or coil.

Will vape prices increase immediately?

Not necessarily. Eligible stock produced or imported before 1 October 2026 can continue to be sold during the transition period until 31 March 2027, subject to the applicable rules.

When do vaping duty stamps become important?

New vaping duty stamps are being introduced as part of the Vaping Products Duty system. From 1 April 2027, products that require a duty stamp must not be sold without the appropriate stamp.

Is it cheaper to buy vape products before the tax?

Existing pre-duty stock may be available at prices that reflect the previous cost structure, but customers should always compare current prices, promotions and the amount of e-liquid before deciding what offers the best value.

Where can I buy vapes online in the UK?

VapePlay UK offers a wide range of prefilled vapes, pods, e-liquids, vape kits, accessories and nicotine pouches for adult customers. Browse the current range and check individual product pages for the latest prices and offers.

Final Thoughts: How Much Will Vapes Cost After October 2026?

The UK's new vape tax changes the way consumers need to think about vape pricing. Instead of looking only at the product's puff count or advertised price, the amount of e-liquid inside the product is now an important part of the calculation.

A 10ml e-liquid may see an estimated increase of around £2.64 including the VAT effect, while a 12ml prefilled kit could see around £3.17 and a 22ml high-capacity kit around £5.81.

Larger products such as 100ml shortfills can face a substantially higher numerical increase because the duty is charged for every millilitre of liquid.

At VapePlay UK, we will continue to offer a broad range of vape products and competitive promotions as the UK market adjusts to the new Vaping Products Duty. Always check the individual product page for the latest price, availability and current offers.

Vape responsibly. VapePlay products are intended for adults aged 18 and over. Nicotine is addictive.