Under-18 sales ban extended to nicotine products and all vapes

Key changes include:

• Under-18 sales ban extended to nicotine-free vapes and other nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, strips and pearls.
• Proxy purchasing is now an offence, meaning adults cannot buy or attempt to buy vaping or nicotine products for someone under 18.
• Promotional giveaways and substantial promotional discounts are prohibited, both in shops and online.
• Vending-machine sales and dispensing of vapes and nicotine products are prohibited.
• Local authority stop smoking services can continue to provide products to support adult smokers to quit.
• Trading Standards will lead retail enforcement in England, with new powers including £200 fixed penalty notices.
• Enforcement is being supported by up to £30 million per year until 2028/29, including up to £10 million annually for Trading Standards and recruitment of 120 specialist apprentices.

Children will be better protected from respiratory illnesses and nicotine addiction from today (29 October 2026), as new restrictions on the sale and promotion of vapes and nicotine products come into force across the UK.

More than a million children are estimated to have tried vaping, with more than 370,000 vaping regularly, putting them at a higher risk of developing respiratory illnesses.

Selling nicotine-containing vapes to under 18s was already illegal. But from today, products that were not previously covered by existing age-of-sales rules, such as nicotine-free vapes and nicotine pouches, strips and pearls, will become illegal.

For the first time, adults aged 18 or over will also commit an offence if they buy, or attempt to buy, a vaping or nicotine product on behalf of someone under 18.

The measures also prohibit promotional giveaways and substantial promotional discounts in shops and online, alongside vending machines that either sell or dispense vapes or nicotine products. Local authority stop smoking services can continue providing products to help adult smokers to quit.

Trading Standards will lead retail enforcement in England, supported by new fixed penalty powers which will enable swifter action against rogue retailers. Enforcement agencies are receiving up to £30 million a year until 2028 to 2029. This includes up to £10 million a year for Trading Standards and the recruitment of 120 specialist apprentices to strengthen the workforce tackling illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales.