There is currently no excise duty on vapes (also known as e-cigarettes), but the government wants this to discourage smoking vapes. But an excise tax increase must be arranged via Europe.
‘Much too slow’
But European legislation is taking a long time. “Certainly until 2025. Much too slow,” says Van Ooijen. The State Secretary is therefore open to introducing a national levy (so-called user tax), 16 other European countries have already done so. But because the cabinet is outgoing, the House of Representatives must take the lead in this, Van Ooijen (Public Health) said during question time. “The House of Representatives still has full power.”
The CDA wants to take the lead in this and will draw up an amendment or motion to initiate a tax on vapes. GroenLinks-PvdA, D66 and PvdD announced yesterday that they wanted to speed up a user tax after questions from RTL Nieuws.
The Christian Union has its own motion in the making.
Alarming figures
The House of Representatives is very concerned after doctors raised the alarm about vaping at the beginning of this month. One in five young people has vaped in the past year, according to research by the Trimbos Institute. These are called ‘alarming’ and ‘worrying’ figures, especially because it happens at a very young age. That is why Trimbos advocates only issuing vapes on doctor’s advice, but the cabinet does not want that.
Increasing the price is also a major wish of many parties in the House of Representatives. Vapes now cost about 6 euros; a lot cheaper than regular cigarettes, which cost more than nine euros per pack.
Price incentive
CDA MP Anne Kuik: “We know that one measure is really effective: that is the price incentive,” says Kuik. “Vaping is rubbish. We must take action quickly,” D66 MP Jeanet van der Laan adds.
If the change in law receives a majority, the current cabinet must start working on it immediately, says a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health. “The introduction of a user tax may take some time, but we will really get to work on it.”