TREASURY ministers officially ruled out targeting vapers with a new tax in coming Budget following a backlash, The Sun can reveal.

To the delight of Britain’s 2.9 million E-cig users the Exchequer Secretary Robert Jenrick wrote to industry figures to pledge: “we have no current plans to introduce a new tax on vaping products.”

Ministers had studied plans to tax the cigarette replacements to help fund the extra £20 billion pledged to the NHS - prompting campaigners to urge them to think again.

And Mr Jenrick went further in a letter to the UK Vaping Industry Association - hinting that vape sticks could be reclassified for a far lower rate of VAT if NHS bosses officially class them as treatment for smokers.

He added: “I recognise the contribution the vaping industry makes to the economy in terms of jobs and revenue to the Exchequer and welcome the fact the UK has a world leading vaping industry."

Last night campaigner Christopher Snowdon said: “This is good news for British vapers."

The head of lifestyle at the Institute of Economic Affairs added: “The development of the e-cigarette market has helped millions of people reduce or completely stop smoking, saving the NHS money.

“To whack these vapers with a tax to try and deter them from vaping would be counterproductive and harm the nation’s health.”