ADPH responds to extending under 18 sales ban to all nicotine and vapes products

Today, the Government has announced a comprehensive ban on the sale of vape and nicotine products to children and young people below the age of 18. The ban extends to all vaping and non-medicinal nicotine products, including nicotine free vapes and nicotine pouches, strips, and pearls.

This measure is also accompanied by greater restrictions on promotions, including prohibiting free product giveaways, substantial discounts in shops and online, and vending-machine sales of vaping and nicotine products.

These changes are a significant step toward protecting our children and young people, and wider communities, from these highly addictive products while ensuring support remains in place for those who need help to quit smoking.

Welcoming these changes, Peter Roderick, ADPH Addictions spokesperson and Director of Public Health for City of York, said:

“Today’s announcement brings another health promoting measure in the Tobacco and Vapes Act into effect, helping to protect our children and young people from ever becoming addicted to nicotine. Coupled with stronger restrictions on promotion, including stopping free product giveaways and large discounts in shops and online, these changes will help reduce the appeal, accessibility, and affordability of these highly addictive products, and help create a future where everyone has a chance to live a healthier life for longer, free from the harms of smoking, while still ensuring vapes are available to support adults who need them to quit smoking.”