What are VELO Nicotine Pouches?
An informational guide explaining what VELO nicotine pouches are, how they work, how strengths and flavours are labelled, and where to find safety information.
Lewis Cash |
Does the UK Vape Tax Apply to Nicotine Pouches?
The introduction of the UK's Vaping Products Duty (VPD) has led many people to wonder whether nicotine pouches are also affected. If you use both vaping products and nicotine pouches, it's a sensible question to ask.
The short answer is no.
The Vaping Products Duty applies to vaping liquids and products designed for vaping. Nicotine pouches are not included in the current legislation, meaning they are not subject to the UK vape tax at the time of writing.
In this guide, we'll explain why nicotine pouches aren't affected, what the Vaping Products Duty actually covers, and whether this could change in the future.
What Is the UK Vaping Products Duty?
The Vaping Products Duty is a UK tax that will be introduced on 1 October 2026. It applies to vaping liquids intended for use in electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices.
The aim of the duty is to place an excise tax on vaping products sold in the UK, with manufacturers and importers responsible for complying with the new requirements.
For consumers, the most noticeable impact is that many vaping products will have increased in prices when the duty comes into force.
Why Aren't Nicotine Pouches Taxed Under the Vaping Products Duty?
The legislation specifically targets products intended for vaping.
Nicotine pouches are classified differently because they don't produce vapour or require any electronic device to use them. They are therefore treated as a separate product category under current UK regulations.
This distinction is why nicotine pouch prices haven't been directly affected by the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty.
Which Products Are Affected by the UK Vaping Products Duty?
The table below provides a quick overview of which nicotine products are currently subject to the UK's Vaping Products Duty and which are not.
| Product | Vaping Products Duty |
|---|---|
| E-liquids | Applies |
| Nicotine Salt E-liquids | Applies |
| Shortfill E-liquids | Applies |
| Prefilled Vape Pods | Applies |
| Disposable Vapes* | Not Applicable |
| Nicotine Pouches | Not Included |
*Disposable vapes are no longer legal for retail sale in the UK. The Vaping Products Duty applies to vaping products, but disposable vapes can no longer be sold by legitimate UK retailers.
Will Nicotine Pouch Prices Stay the Same?
Not necessarily.
While nicotine pouches aren't affected by the Vaping Products Duty, prices can still change for other reasons, including:
- manufacturing costs
- supplier pricing
- exchange rates
- shipping and logistics
- wider market conditions
Any future price changes would therefore be unrelated to the current vape tax unless new legislation is introduced.
Could Nicotine Pouches Be Taxed in the Future?
It's impossible to predict future government policy.
At the time of writing, there are no confirmed plans to extend the Vaping Products Duty to nicotine pouches. However, as the nicotine market continues to evolve, future governments could review how different nicotine products are regulated or taxed.
If any significant changes are announced, we'll update this guide to reflect the latest information.
Nicotine Pouches Are Still Subject to Other Regulations
Although nicotine pouches aren't covered by the UK's Vaping Products Duty, that doesn't mean they're unaffected by wider changes to nicotine product regulation.
The Tobacco and Vapes Act gives the government new powers to regulate nicotine pouches in areas such as packaging, product information, marketing and retail display. In England, it also introduces a minimum age of 18 for the sale of nicotine pouches. At the time of writing, the government is consulting on proposals that could standardise packaging and require clearer information on nicotine products, including nicotine pouches.
These proposals are separate from the Vaping Products Duty and don't currently introduce a tax on nicotine pouches. However, they demonstrate that the regulatory landscape is continuing to evolve.
We'll update this guide if future legislation affects the sale, packaging or taxation of nicotine pouches.
What This Means for Nicotine Pouch Users
If you currently use nicotine pouches, the introduction of the UK Vaping Products Duty doesn't change the way these products are sold or priced under the current rules.
For consumers, nicotine pouches remain a separate category from vaping products and aren't included within the legislation that applies to e-liquids and other vape products.
Whether you're already using nicotine pouches or considering trying them for the first time, it's worth understanding the differences between the various nicotine product categories and the regulations that apply to each.
18+ only. Nicotine pouches are smoke-free and tobacco-free, but they still contain nicotine , which is addictive. This article is for general information only. For information on safe handling and responsible use, see our Safety & Responsible Use guidance .
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Author Bio
Lewis Cash
