The UK government has introduced new restrictions on the sale and promotion of vapes and nicotine products, with a ban on selling nicotine-free vapes and addictive products such as nicotine pouches to children coming into effect from today.
The measures end promotional giveaways, substantial discounts, and vending-machine sales of vaping and nicotine products. Firmer enforcement powers now allow authorities to crack down on rogue traders, including a £200 fixed penalty notice.
Penalties and enforcement
Unpaid or severe cases escalated to court could result in fines up to £2,500 in England and Wales, and up to £5,000 in Northern Ireland, as well as potential prosecution for major offenses.
According to official government data, more than one 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.
Protecting children
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.
Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety, said: "Our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Act was the greatest piece of public health legislation in a generation. Six months to the day since the Act became law, we're extending protections for young people and stopping businesses from cashing in on our children's health."
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said: "Addicting children to nicotine or encouraging them to vape could lead to the risk of serious health harms - it is completely unacceptable. These measures will help protect children from marketing of nicotine products and attempts to encourage them to vape."
Further restrictions in 2027
The crackdown on the sale and promotion of vapes and nicotine products will continue into 2027. From January 1 2027, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after January 1 2009. Anyone born after this date will never be legally sold tobacco.
There are proposals to restrict product packaging, flavours, displays and on widening smoke-free and introducing vape-free places. Consultations have already taken place and the responses are being considered, according to the government.
The legislation covers a broad range of products, including vape devices, tanks, replacement coils, e-liquids (with or without nicotine), and nicotine oral pouches. Licensed medicinal nicotine replacements and medical devices are exempt from these restrictions.
