Vape retailers 'concerned' about tax impact

Sophie Dorfner, who runs The Vape Bar, said she was concerned people may be pushed back to smoking

One of Guernsey's biggest vape retailers has said the business is "very concerned" about plans to tax vape liquids in the 2026 budget.

Tina Dorfner, who owns the Vape Bar in St Peter Port, said the proposals from the Policy and Resources Committee (P&R) could "have a huge impact" on trade.

Retailers have said P&R has proposed a £2 tax on every 10ml of vape liquid, although the final plans are yet to be published. P&R has been approached for comment.

In the UK, the government has decided to tax 10ml vaping liquid at £2.20 per 10ml from October 2026, while Jersey's government has signalled its intention to tax it in its budget for next year.

'You never know'

Peter Bierley, who owns The Tuck Shop and Vape Head in town, was more relaxed about plans to tax vape liquids.

He said: "Ultimately, customers will just have to pay that tax.

"Whether it will stop some people vaping - perhaps - I do not think it will turn people back to cigarettes, because we have been told they are going to increase the tax on cigarettes at a similar price.

"So you know, hopefully, not too much impact; but you never know."

Sophie Dorfner, who also helps to run The Vape Bar, disagreed: "It is going to end up with people going back to smoking, because they are going to be priced out."

Unregulated products

At The Vape Bar, there was consensus that this was still at an early stage and firm proposals had not been submitted by P&R.

However, the island's retailers have been invited to meet States officials about the plans.

Sophie Dorfner warned taxing the products could have impacts on the local market.

She said: "I do think you are going to end up with a lot of people buying things online that are unregulated.

"They do not know what is in the products, they do not know what they are buying; a lot of those are unregulated products have illegal THC products in.

There was concern raised at The Vape Bar that the tax may force people to buy unregulated products online

"People are going to end up buying things just because they are a lot cheaper, not knowing what is in them, and that is going to cause more health issues in the long-run."

Tina Dorfner said she would wait for firm proposals to be published before making a full judgement, but admitted she was "worried" about the plans.

She said: "A lot of people are concerned about whether this will mean they give up vaping and go back to cigarettes, because, once all of this comes in, and also if GST [goods and sales tax] is brought in, it will be a much more expensive product."

Last year, Guernsey's States agreed to introduce a 5% goods and services tax, alongside a lower rate of income tax for earnings under £30,000 and reforms to social security contributions.

However, those plans are under review while P&R member Deputy Charles Parkinson looks at the island's corporate tax regime.

P&R is set to publish the budget for 2026 on 7 October, for debate on 4 November.