EthelKing
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Reuters. 01/04/2015 0342.
"The UK Governent has announced that it plans to levy a 40% tax on electronic cigarettes from midday today, in addition to introducing new stringent checks on equipment and nicotine liquids from so-called "grey" import areas outside of the European Union. E-cigarette users can expect a 10ml bottle of nicotine juice to cost approximately £1.60 more than it current does, and can expect "harsh" penalties for importing equipment and associated nicotine containing juices from outside of the European Union.
Outlining the new rules, Flora Poi, spokesperson for the all-party committee on smoking and health said, "We see this as a massive positive step in the right direction for smokers. Not only will the new tax raise funds for much needed anti-smoking schemes around the UK, but the new rules and due dilignece concerning grey imports will ensure that any future black market will become all but impossible. HMRC have introduced specially trained detection dogs trained to sniff the combination of plated metals, acrylic and machine oil, nicotine in suspension and lithium. Further to this offenders who repeatedly attempt to import electronic cigarette goods from abroad will be dealt with in a swift and severe manner. The current proposed minimum sentencing will be six months imprisonment for two or more attempts to import. The government feels that these moves are appropriate to the documented risks posed by electronic cigarette devices to the user, and the potential of these devices to lure children into a life time of smoking, and the accompanying health risks that result".
The full press release can be found here.
"The UK Governent has announced that it plans to levy a 40% tax on electronic cigarettes from midday today, in addition to introducing new stringent checks on equipment and nicotine liquids from so-called "grey" import areas outside of the European Union. E-cigarette users can expect a 10ml bottle of nicotine juice to cost approximately £1.60 more than it current does, and can expect "harsh" penalties for importing equipment and associated nicotine containing juices from outside of the European Union.
Outlining the new rules, Flora Poi, spokesperson for the all-party committee on smoking and health said, "We see this as a massive positive step in the right direction for smokers. Not only will the new tax raise funds for much needed anti-smoking schemes around the UK, but the new rules and due dilignece concerning grey imports will ensure that any future black market will become all but impossible. HMRC have introduced specially trained detection dogs trained to sniff the combination of plated metals, acrylic and machine oil, nicotine in suspension and lithium. Further to this offenders who repeatedly attempt to import electronic cigarette goods from abroad will be dealt with in a swift and severe manner. The current proposed minimum sentencing will be six months imprisonment for two or more attempts to import. The government feels that these moves are appropriate to the documented risks posed by electronic cigarette devices to the user, and the potential of these devices to lure children into a life time of smoking, and the accompanying health risks that result".
The full press release can be found here.
