The United Kingdom has adopted the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, introducing a comprehensive set of measures to reduce tobacco use and regulate nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes. According to the UK Government, the new law, which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, will create a smoke‑free generation by ensuring today’s children will never legally be sold cigarettes, while also strengthening protections for children and young people from nicotine addiction.

The new age of sale will prevent anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever legally being sold tobacco – including cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco, cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco, waterpipe or shisha, chewing tobacco, heated tobacco products, nasal tobacco, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers. This will come into force on 1 January 2027. This measure aligns with Article 16 of the WHO FCTC (Sales to and by minors), which encourages Parties to adopt effective measures to prevent youth access to tobacco products. 

It will also be illegal for retailers to sell vaping products (including non-nicotine vapes) and consumer nicotine products (such as pouches) to anyone under the age of 18.

Additionally, the new legislation will enable the UK Government to strengthen the existing ban on smoking in public places, including to children’s playgrounds and areas outside schools and hospitals, in line with measures under Article 8 of the WHO FCTC (Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke) and its Guidelines for implementation. It also provides powers to designate current smoke-free places as heated tobacco-free and vape-free places.

The legislation bans the advertising and sponsorship of all electronic cigarettes and other nicotine products from 1 June 2027. It also introduces powers to enable stricter regulation of electronic cigarettes and other nicotine products. This includes – on top of the ban on disposable vapes in effect since June 2025 – restrictions on flavours, packaging, device design and product displays, in order to reduce their appeal to children and young people. These provisions are consistent with Articles 9 and 10 of the WHO FCTC (Regulation of the contents of tobacco products and Regulation of tobacco product disclosures), as well as with decisions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) encouraging Parties to regulate ENDS/ENNDS to protect public health, particularly among youth.

In addition, the Act strengthens enforcement measures against illicit trade and non‑compliance, supporting the effective implementation of tobacco control legislation in line with Article 15 of the WHO FCTC (Illicit trade in tobacco products). Enhanced enforcement powers are intended to ensure that the new age‑of‑sale and product regulation measures are effectively applied.

The Act also provides powers to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vapes and nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and expand the retailer registration scheme in Scotland, as well as introduce £200 fines for certain tobacco and vape offences, including underage sales. Local authorities will retain 100% of the proceeds to reinvest into enforcement of this law and other existing tobacco and vaping controls.

By adopting the Tobacco and Vapes Act, the United Kingdom reinforces its commitment to the objectives of the WHO FCTC and contributes to the global effort to reduce tobacco‑related morbidity and mortality, while addressing emerging challenges posed by novel and nicotine products. It is also a shift to align with forward-looking tobacco control measures, including the decision adopted at COP11 in this regard (Decision FCTC/COP11(5)).

For more information please see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tobacco-and-vapes-bill-becomes-law or contact: tobaccocontrol@dhsc.gov.uk.