Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Ruth Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 (named day). It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Electronic Cigarettes: Registration and Testing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues about the role (a) HM Revenue and Customs and (b) Border Force will have in verifying compliance with the vaping product registration and testing regime at the point of import.

Answer

Officials in the Department regularly meet with officials from other departments, including HM Revenue and Customs and Border Force, to share intelligence and ensure a coordinated approach to the enforcement of our rules on vaping products. This coordinated approach to enforcement will continue once the Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law.

We are strengthening the enforcement of vape regulations through the measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. We are also investing £30 million of new funding in total for enforcement agencies in 2025/26, including Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs, and Border Force. This increase in investment will help to stamp out criminal activity by boosting enforcement against illicit tobacco and illicit vapes.

We are also introducing a new Vaping Products Duty in October 2026 which will provide civil and criminal powers for HM Revenue and Customs to assess for duty and seize products and equipment used to produce or transport illicit products. HM Revenue and Customs will collaborate with agencies such as Border Force and Trading Standards, who will have enhanced their capabilities around vaping by the time the duty is introduced. We are working closely with colleagues in HM Revenue and Customs to understand how the new product registration scheme can work effectively with the Vaping Products Duty to increase compliance. We expect to consult on policy proposals later this year.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
110462
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Revenue and Customs Registration Testing UK Border Force Electronic cigarettes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk