Key Points
- From Oct. 29, 2026, all vaping and non-medicinal nicotine products across the UK will carry a minimum age of sale of 18.
- Zero-nicotine vapes will come under age restrictions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while nicotine pouches and other non-tobacco nicotine products will also be covered.
- Adults will commit an offence if they purchase or attempt to purchase vaping or nicotine products on behalf of someone under 18.
- Promotional giveaways, substantial promotional discounts and consumer-facing vending machines for vaping and nicotine products will be prohibited.
2Firsts
October 10, 2026
According to guidance published by the UK Department of Health and Social Care, key sales provisions under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will take effect on Oct. 29, extending the minimum age of sale of 18 to all vaping and non-medicinal nicotine products across the UK.
The rules apply to physical and online retailers and bring products including zero-nicotine vapes, nicotine pouches, nicotine strips and nicotine pearls within the expanded regulatory framework.
The changes will also prohibit proxy purchasing for under-18s and introduce new restrictions on promotional giveaways, substantial promotional discounts and vending-machine sales of vaping and nicotine products.
Nicotine Pouches and Zero-Nicotine Vapes Brought Within Age Rules
From Oct. 29, it will be an offence to sell any vaping or nicotine product to a person under 18.
The government's definition of vaping products includes vape devices, vaping substances such as e-liquids, and related components including coils and pods, regardless of whether the e-liquid contains nicotine.
Nicotine products include tobacco-free nicotine pouches, dissolvable nicotine strips and nicotine pearls, among other products. Synthetic nicotine is also covered.
Medical devices and medicinal products are excluded, meaning licensed nicotine-replacement medicines are not subject to the new restrictions.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the new regime replaces the previous restriction that primarily applied to nicotine vaping products and extends statutory age controls to zero-nicotine vapes.
Scotland already applies age restrictions to both nicotine and non-nicotine vaping products. From Oct. 29, those restrictions will also extend to additional nicotine products, including nicotine pouches.
Proxy Purchasing to Become an Offence
The Act also extends restrictions on proxy purchasing.
From Oct. 29, a person aged 18 or over will commit an offence if they buy or attempt to buy a vaping or nicotine product on behalf of someone under 18.
The rule therefore places legal obligations not only on retailers but also on adults purchasing products for minors.
In England, Wales and Scotland, offences involving underage sales or proxy purchasing can result in a £200 fixed penalty notice.
Alternatively, cases may proceed to prosecution. In England and Wales, a summary conviction can result in a fine of up to level 4 on the standard scale, currently £2,500.
Penalties differ between UK jurisdictions.
Promotional Giveaways and Substantial Discounts Restricted
The new regime also limits promotional distribution of vaping and nicotine products.
From Oct. 29, it will be an offence to provide a vaping or nicotine product, or a related coupon, free to a member of the public where the purpose or effect is to promote the product.
Selling vaping or nicotine products, or coupons for them, at a substantial discount for promotional purposes will also be prohibited.
Government guidance says promotions offering e-liquid, vaping devices or nicotine products for a nominal price such as 10 pence would likely fall within the restriction.
The rule does not amount to a blanket prohibition on every price discount. Whether a discount is considered “substantial” will depend on factors including the size and promotional purpose of the reduction.
Specific exemptions may apply to smoking-cessation programmes. Retailers operating under formal agreements with public authorities may, in certain circumstances, continue supplying vapes or coupons to users of public stop-smoking services.
Vending Machine Ban Extended to Vapes and Nicotine Products
The Tobacco and Vapes Act also expands restrictions on vending machines.
From Oct. 29, a person managing or controlling premises may commit an offence if customers can purchase vaping products, nicotine products, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers from a vending machine.
Tobacco vending machines are already prohibited in the UK.
The new provisions therefore extend the restriction to vaping and non-tobacco nicotine products.
Machines do not necessarily have to be physically removed from premises if consumers cannot access them. Equipment located behind counters, in staff-only areas or used solely by staff for storage and fulfilment may remain.
In England and Wales, offences involving prohibited vending machines can carry a fine of up to £2,500.
Tobacco and Vapes Act Enters Phased Implementation
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent on April 29.
The legislation creates a broader regulatory framework for tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products, covering age restrictions, retail licensing, advertising and sponsorship and providing powers for further controls on flavours, packaging, displays and product standards.
The measures taking effect on Oct. 29 include:
- an age of sale of 18 for all vaping and nicotine products;
- proxy-purchasing offences;
- a vending-machine ban;
- restrictions on promotional giveaways;
- restrictions on substantial promotional discounts; and
- a new fixed-penalty regime.
Other elements of the Act require further regulations or consultation before taking effect.
The legislation also gives ministers powers to regulate the packaging, appearance and retail display of vaping and nicotine products. In England, regulations may restrict how vapes and nicotine products, as well as their prices, are displayed at retail.
The Department of Health and Social Care is separately progressing regulatory work on tobacco and vape packaging, appearance and display.
Vaping Products Duty Took Effect on Oct. 1
The Oct. 29 sales restrictions follow another major policy change for the UK vaping market earlier this month.
Under the Finance Act 2026, the UK introduced Vaping Products Duty on Oct. 1 at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10 millilitres of vaping liquid, equivalent to £0.22 per millilitre.
The duty covers taxable vaping liquids whether or not they contain nicotine.
October 2026 therefore represents a significant implementation period for the UK vaping sector: Vaping Products Duty took effect on Oct. 1, followed by expanded age-of-sale, proxy-purchasing, promotional and vending-machine restrictions on Oct. 29.
Further Product and Retail Regulation Still to Come
The UK government says the Tobacco and Vapes Act is intended to reduce vaping and nicotine use among children and young people while retaining vaping as an option for adult smokers seeking to quit.
Government consultation material published in 2026 cited a 2025 Action on Smoking and Health survey showing that about one in five people aged 11 to 17 in Great Britain had tried vaping.
The Act also gives ministers powers to introduce further controls covering vape flavours, packaging, product appearance, retail displays and licensing, meaning the Oct. 29 measures form only one stage of the UK's wider regulatory overhaul.
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Cover Image: Manchester Evening News
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