The UK's new Vaping Products Duty (VPD) comes into force on 1 October 2026 and will significantly increase the cost of vape liquids across the UK.
Whether you use nicotine salts, freebase e-liquids, shortfills or prefilled pods, most vape liquids will become more expensive due to the new tax.
The good news?
There are still several effective ways to reduce the impact of the vape tax and keep your vaping costs under control.
Having helped smokers and vapers since 2011, we've put together this practical guide explaining how to save money after the vape tax while continuing to enjoy your favourite vape products.
Quick Summary
The best ways to save money after the vape tax include:
✓ Switch to a refillable vape kit
✓ Use nicotine salt e-liquids
✓ Lower your device wattage
✓ Take advantage of the unstamped stock grace period
✓ Use multi-buy promotions
✓ Earn loyalty rewards
✓ Monitor your e-liquid consumption
What Is The Vape Tax?
The UK's Vaping Products Duty (VPD) introduces a new excise duty of:
£2.20 per 10ml of vape liquid
from 1 October 2026.
The tax applies to:
- Nicotine salts
- Freebase e-liquids
- Shortfills
- Nicotine shots
- Prefilled vape pods
- Nicotine-free vape liquid
For a full breakdown of the legislation, read our UK Vape Tax 2026 Explained Guide.
1. Switch To A Refillable Vape Kit
If you're still using disposable-style products or high-consumption devices, switching to a refillable pod kit is one of the best ways to reduce your vaping costs.
Modern refillable pod systems provide:
✓ Excellent flavour
✓ Lower e-liquid consumption
✓ Rechargeable batteries
✓ Reduced waste
✓ Lower long-term running costs
At Tablites, the most popular refillable pod kits include:
Vaporesso XROS 6
The latest addition to the UK's best-selling refillable pod vape range.
Vaporesso XROS 6 Mini
Compact, easy to use and perfect for nicotine salts. Remember to replace your Vaporesso XROS Pods regularly to maintain flavour and performance.
Oxva Xlim Pro 3
One of the best-performing pod vape kits available today.
Aspire Gotek X3
Ideal for vapers looking for a simple and affordable refillable device.
Explore our ranges:
Not sure which refillable kit to choose? Read our Best Vape Kits for Nicotine Salts guide.
2. Use Nicotine Salt E-Liquids
Nicotine salts remain one of the most efficient ways to vape.
Because nic salts provide faster nicotine satisfaction, many adult vapers find they consume less liquid compared to lower-strength freebase products.
Popular nic salt ranges at Tablites include:
- Elfliq Nic Salts
- Elux Legend Nic Salts
- Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts
- Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salts
- DojoLiq Nic Salts
- Lost Mary Nic Salts
For ex-smokers and former disposable vape users, nicotine salts remain one of the most cost-effective options available.
Not sure which flavour to choose? Read our Best Nic Salt Flavours in 2026 guide.
3. Lower Your Device Wattage
Many vapers overlook one of the simplest ways to reduce costs.
Lower Wattage = Lower Liquid Consumption
High-powered Direct-To-Lung (DTL) devices can consume large amounts of e-liquid every day.
Low-powered Mouth-To-Lung (MTL) devices such as:
- Vaporesso XROS
- Oxva Xlim
- Aspire Gotek
use significantly less liquid while still providing excellent nicotine satisfaction.
Reducing your wattage can dramatically reduce weekly e-liquid usage and help offset future price increases.
4. Take Advantage Of The Unstamped Stock Grace Period
One of the biggest opportunities to save money after the vape tax will be the six-month unstamped stock grace period.
The government has confirmed that existing unstamped vape liquid stock can continue to be sold between:
1 October 2026
and
31 March 2027
This means some products manufactured before the duty takes effect may remain available at lower prices while stock lasts.
For many vapers, this period could offer an opportunity to stock up on favourite products before fully taxed stock becomes the norm.
5. Make The Most Of Multi-Buy Deals
Multi-buy promotions will become more important than ever after the vape tax.
Current Tablites promotions include:
- Elfliq 4 for £10
- Elux Legend 4 for £10
- Hayati Pro Max 4 for £10
- Bar Juice 5000 4 for £10
- DojoLiq 4 for £10
- Lost Mary 4 for £10
Browse all of our 4 for £10 Mix & Match Nic Salt E-Liquid offers
These deals currently work out at:
£2.50 per bottle
What Could These Deals Cost After The Vape Tax?
Based on the current Vaping Products Duty rate of £2.20 per 10ml bottle plus VAT, a current:
4 for £10 deal
could increase to approximately:
£20.55
for the same 4-pack.
| Brand | Current Multi-Buy | Estimated Post-VPD Equivalent* |
| Elfliq | 4 for £10 | Approx. £20.55 |
| Elux Legend | 4 for £10 | Approx. £20.55 |
| Hayati Pro Max | 4 for £10 | Approx. £20.55 |
| Bar Juice 5000 | 4 for £10 | Approx. £20.55 |
| DojoLiq | 4 for £10 | Approx. £20.55 |
| Lost Mary | 4 for £10 | Approx. £20.55 |
*These examples are estimates based on the current Vaping Products Duty rate and VAT only. Actual retail prices may vary and could be affected by wholesale price increases, manufacturing costs, shipping costs, supplier pricing and wider market conditions.
6. Earn TABpoints On Every Purchase
Many customers overlook loyalty rewards when calculating long-term savings.
At Tablites, you earn:
5 TABpoints for every £1 spent
equivalent to:
5% back on every purchase.
For example:
Spend £100
Receive approximately £5 worth of TABpoints to redeem against future orders.
As vape prices increase, loyalty rewards become increasingly valuable.
7. Understand Which Products Are Hit Hardest
Not all vape products are affected equally by the vape tax.
Because the VPD is based on liquid volume, larger bottles see significantly larger increases.
| Product Type | Additional Duty |
| Prefilled Pod Twin Pack (2 x 2ml) | £0.88 |
| 10ml Nic Salt / Freebase | £2.20 |
| 50ml Shortfill + Nic Shot | £13.20 |
| 100ml Shortfill + 2 Nic Shots | £26.40 |
This is one reason why refillable MTL vaping with nicotine salts may become increasingly popular after 2026.
8. Don't Forget About Traditional Freebase E-Liquid
While nicotine salts dominate the disposable replacement market, freebase e-liquids remain hugely popular.
In fact, Tablites' own freebase e-liquid range is currently our bestselling e-liquid category.
Available in:
- 0mg
- 3mg
- 6mg
- 12mg
- 18mg
Popular flavours include:
Current offer:
3 Bottles For £10
9. Monitor Your Consumption
Many vapers underestimate how much e-liquid they use.
Typical usage patterns:
Light Vaper
1-2 bottles per week
Moderate Vaper
3-5 bottles per week
Heavy Vaper
5-7+ bottles per week
Even small reductions in daily consumption can generate significant savings over a year.
Will Vaping Still Be Cheaper Than Smoking?
Yes.
Despite the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty, vaping remains significantly cheaper than smoking for most adult users.
A pack-a-day smoking habit can easily exceed:
£100 per week
Meanwhile, many vapers will continue to spend approximately:
£20-£35 per week
depending on their device, liquid consumption and nicotine requirements.
While the cost gap may narrow, vaping remains one of the most affordable alternatives to smoking.
What We're Seeing At Tablites
Having supplied vape products since 2011, we're already seeing some suppliers increase wholesale pricing ahead of the October 2026 implementation date.
Factors contributing to rising prices include:
- Manufacturing costs
- Shipping costs
- Supplier pricing changes
- Chinese taxation changes
- Future VPD preparation
The Vaping Products Duty is likely to be the largest pricing change the UK vaping industry has experienced to date.
Related Guides
Looking for more information?
Read:
- Why Has Vape Liquid Gone Up In Price?
- UK Vape Tax 2026 Explained
- Best Disposable Vape Alternatives
- Nicotine Strength Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to vape after the vape tax?
For most adult vapers, a refillable pod kit paired with nicotine salt e-liquids remains one of the most cost-effective options.
Will nic salts be taxed?
Yes. Nicotine salt e-liquids are subject to the Vaping Products Duty.
Are shortfills affected by vape tax?
Yes. Shortfills are affected and may see some of the largest increases due to their higher liquid volumes.
Will vaping still be cheaper than smoking?
Yes. For most adult users, vaping remains significantly cheaper than smoking.
Can I still buy vape liquid after October 2026?
Yes. The tax affects price, not legality.
What is the unstamped stock grace period?
Retailers can continue selling existing unstamped stock between 1 October 2026 and 31 March 2027.
Final Thoughts
While the UK's Vaping Products Duty will increase the cost of vape liquids, there are still plenty of ways to keep your vaping costs under control.
By choosing efficient refillable vape kits, taking advantage of multi-buy promotions, earning loyalty rewards and monitoring consumption, many adult vapers can significantly reduce the impact of the new tax.
The earlier you prepare, the easier it will be to adapt to the changes ahead.
Recommended Reading
Preparing for the Vape Tax
- Why is Vape Liquid Going Up in Price?
- UK Vape Tax Explained
- Best Vape Kits for Nicotine Salts
- Best Disposable Vape Alternatives
- Nicotine Strength Guide
