Albertans to be paying more for vaping products
Albertans will be starting the new year with two new taxes, a vape tax and a registration fee for electric vehicles.
Unveiled as part of the government’s budget for 2024-2025, the vape tax will be added to vaping substances sold in Alberta. For the first 10 mL, there will be $1.12 per 2 mL tax, and for volumes above 10Ml, it will be $1.12 per 10 per mL.
The tax is part of Alberta’s public health efforts to discourage the use of vaping products, particularly by young Albertans, and will be by the federal government on the province’s behalf, then returned by the federal government to the province.
According to the Alberta government, while the rate of tobacco consumption has been dropping in the province for nearly past seven years, one-in-three Albertans between the ages of 15 to 19 vape.
“The introduction of vaping products in the last decade has produced significant numbers of users, particularly youth,” said Alberta Health in its Tobacco and Vaping Reduction Strategy report. “From 2013 to 2020, the number of Albertans ages 15 to 19 to have ever used a vaping product increased from 18.8% to 35.2%. Additionally, Albertans are increasing their regular use of vaping products. From 2013 to 2021, the number of Albertans over 15 years who have used a vaping product within the last 30 days rose from 2.6% to 5.7%.”
READ: Higher tobacco and vaping taxes offsets drug plan spending in federal budget
Earlier last year, the government increased the taxes on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to curb their use by the public. Effective March 1, 2024, the tax on cigarettes increased by 2.5 cents to 30 cents per cigarette and the tax on smokeless tobacco rose by 7.5 cents to 35 cents per gram. With these increases, Alberta’s tobacco tax rates on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco will be comparable to tobacco tax rates in neighbouring provinces.
Starting in January as well, those looking to purchase an electric vehicle in the province will have to pay a $200 registration tax, on top of the province’s existing vehicle registration fee.
