Tobacco: Excise Duties

(asked on 14th October 2024) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of the Institute of Fiscal Studies' finding relating to tobacco excise duty outlined in paragraph 10, page 3 of its report entitled The outlook for the public finances in the new parliament, published on 10 October 2024.


Answered by
James Murray Portrait
James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
This question was answered on 22nd October 2024

The Government is committed to delivering its two key objectives on tobacco duty; to raise revenue and protect public health. High taxes reduce the affordability of tobacco products and supports the Government’s objective to reduce smoking prevalence.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be the biggest public health intervention in a generation – tackling the harms of smoking and paving the way for a smoke-free UK. Alongside the Bill, DHSC will publish an impact assessment which will include an estimate for the impact on tobacco duty receipts.

The Government has consulted on proposals for a Vaping Products Duty. This would seek to discourage non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping and to raise revenue. The responses to this consultation are being reviewed and we will respond in due course.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps tobacco duty rates under review during its Budget process.

Reticulating Splines