UK vape retailers face a new 18+ age rule from October 29, covering vapes, e-liquids, and nicotine pouches. Photo credit: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Pexels.
UK retailers have 100 days to prepare for the next major stage of the country’s tobacco and vaping legislation, with new rules taking effect in less than a month, and a generational tobacco ban following on January 1, 2027.
The changes form part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on April 29. The legislation introduces new age-of-sale rules for vaping and nicotine products and establishes a new system that will progressively prevent future generations from legally buying tobacco.
From October 29, the minimum age for purchasing vaping and nicotine products, including zero-nicotine vapes, will become 18. The requirement will cover products including vapes, e-liquids, and nicotine pouches, bringing products that previously did not face the same age restriction under the 18+ rule. The restrictions apply to both online sales and shops. Promotional giveaways and certain substantial discounts involving these products will also be restricted.
The legislation also introduces restrictions on vending machines selling tobacco, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping products, and nicotine products. An exemption will allow vape vending machines in adult mental health inpatient settings in England and Wales.
From October 29, local authorities will also gain additional enforcement powers, including the ability to issue £200 (US$269) fixed penalty notices for certain offenses.
The more far-reaching tobacco measure will take effect on January 1, 2027, when the UK introduces its generational tobacco ban.
From that date, it will become illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products, or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The cutoff will then move forward by one year each year, creating a progressively higher minimum age for purchasing tobacco while allowing people born before the cutoff to continue purchasing these products.
The legislation will also make it an offense for anyone aged 18 or older to buy, or attempt to buy, tobacco, herbal smoking products, or cigarette papers on behalf of someone covered by the birth-date restriction.
Retailers in England and Wales must display an age-of-sale notice from January 1 stating: “It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.”
The government is also preparing further regulations under the Act, covering areas including tobacco and vaping product standards, packaging, advertising and sponsorship, retail licensing, product registration, flavors and product displays.