Backing even from smokers and vapers

In its 2026 Budget, Policy & Resources has recommended introducing a duty rate of £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid for next year.

Publication of the report has coincided with the release of an Island Global Research survey on vaping and smoking, taken by more than 1,400 islanders.

More than 70% wanted to see a vape tax introduced, with the strongest support from those aged over 65, with 83% backing it. This compared to 60% of those aged 18 to 39.

Tobacco duty is also set to rise by 13.3%.

In the survey 65% were in favour of increasing duty on tobacco products, and again the strongest support came from older people.

Islanders spoken to by the Guernsey Press also generally agreed with the findings of the survey and P&R’s budget plans.

Among those backing the plans were three ex-smokers.

‘I gave up 40 years ago. I’m more than happy with the tax to increase on both cigarettes and vapes,’ said Joseph Beard, 69.

‘With vapes it will hopefully stop the younger generation starting. Down the line there may be serious health implications that we just don’t know about yet.’

Mr Beard used to work as the States Highways manager and one of his main concerns was litter, such as cigarette butts and vape stickers. ‘It’s much worse than when I was working on the roads,' he said.

Liam Sarre also used to smoke, but quit five years ago due to his health and the cost.

‘Smoking has no place in society, it causes a lot of health problems,’ he said.

‘Although you could say the same for alcohol which hasn’t seen the same price hike.’

Mr Sarre quit smoking by going cold turkey and did not turn to vaping.

‘I’m in favour of a tax on vaping as well, as I think the health implications will be just as bad if not worse. I would have no problem if the tax went up year on year, just like it does with smoking.’

Courtney Jones started vaping to help her give up cigarettes after smoking for five years.

‘It’s quite a harsh rise, but it’s probably a good thing. I started as a teenager and you shouldn’t be able to afford it, I want the tax to keep rising as I don’t want my own kids to ever be able to afford to smoke,’ she said.

‘I do vape, although I’d like to give that up. Where I live we see kids, who are way too young, carrying vapes, and hopefully the ban on disposables and a tax rise will see that reduce.’

The one person who did not back P&R’s plan was smoker Gordon Arnold.

‘I do want to quit in the near future, but this won’t have any impact on that decision,’ he said.

‘It’s just revenue grabbing, if they want extra revenue just be honest about it. Smoking is an addiction and the worse-off will take that money out of their food budget. I’ve never considered vaping – you are just transferring the problem, but a tax there might stop kids, which is a problem.’