Key Takeaways
- The UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill received Royal Assent and became law on April 29, 2026.
- The new law makes it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009.
- The act includes measures to ban the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products.
- The act gives powers to restrict the packaging, branding and display of vape and nicotine products.
- The UK government said the law also addresses youth vaping while continuing to allow adult smokers to access vapes as a quit aid.
2Firsts, April 30, 2026
According to the UK government, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill received Royal Assent on the day and became law.
The government said the measure marks a historic step toward a smoke-free UK and protects people from the harms of tobacco by making it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009.
The government said the law creates the UK’s first smoke-free generation
The UK government said the legislation means today’s children will never legally be sold cigarettes, breaking a cycle of addiction and disadvantage that has persisted for decades.
Health Secretary called the law a turning point for public health
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the legislation marks a turning point for the nation’s health. The government quoted him as saying the law will prevent illness before it begins by ending the cycle of tobacco addiction for future generations, while also supporting current smokers to quit.
The government said smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK
The UK government said smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the country, causing around 80,000 deaths a year and acting as a major driver of cancer, heart disease and stroke, while also placing a significant burden on the NHS and the wider economy.
The law was described as part of the government’s long-term health plan
The government said the new law delivers a core manifesto commitment and is a central pillar of the 10 Year Health Plan, supporting a shift from sickness to prevention and helping people live longer, healthier lives.
The law also targets youth vaping
The UK government said the act also helps tackle the challenge of youth vaping, protecting future generations from the risks of nicotine addiction while still enabling vapes to remain accessible and effective for adult smokers seeking to quit.
The act includes restrictions on vape and nicotine advertising and packaging
According to the government, the act includes measures to ban the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products and gives powers to restrict packaging, branding and displays designed to appeal to children.
The Local Government Association’s same-day FAQs also said the act introduces powers covering free distribution, vending machines and broader retail controls.
The act also gives powers to strengthen smoke-free protections in public places
The government said the law gives powers to strengthen smoke-free protections in certain public places, particularly to protect children and medically vulnerable people from second-hand smoke.
The Local Government Association also said these powers could extend to certain outdoor places and corresponding vape-free and heated-tobacco-free settings.
Chief Medical Officer stressed the harms of smoking and second-hand smoke
England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said smoking causes serious harm across the life course and remains a major cause of lung disease, heart disease, stroke, bad pregnancy outcomes and premature death.
He also said second-hand smoke is extremely dangerous, particularly for children, pregnant women and people with medical conditions.
Whitty said marketing vapes to children is unacceptable
The government quoted Whitty as saying that cigarettes take choice away by addicting people and that most smokers wish they had never started. He also said marketing vapes at children is “utterly unacceptable” and that the act takes powers to restrict it.
Image Source: GOV.UK
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