Major changes to vaping and nicotine laws come into immediate effect
In the hopes of preventing another generation from succumbing to the temptation of nicotine, the UK government are changing the parameters around how you purchase these products.
Downing Street says that the rollout of these new rules from today (29 October) will 'better protect' the lungs and lives of youngsters.
The new legislation is set to close loopholes in existing legislation, while a host of new harsh punishments for rule breakers have also been laid out by ministers.
According to the UK government, data suggests that over one million kids in the nation have tried vaping - hence why officials are so keen to crackdown on this unhealthy habit as a matter of urgency.
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It is thought that enticing marketing ploys and promotions, as well as the easy access to these nicotine products, has a lot to do with the rise in young vapers.
So, ministers set about thinking up a fresh set of rules which targets both 'availability and promotion specifically, not just who's allowed to buy'.
And that's where the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 comes in.
It became law in April and the rollout of its measures will happen gradually following the first phase, which begins today - and there's high expectations for it.
Dame Diana Johnson, the Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety, dubbed the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 as 'the greatest piece of public health legislation in a generation'.
How will buying nicotine products differ from today?
From Thursday, new measures which aim to 'protect children and young people from the risks of nicotine addiction' come into effect.
Although under-18s have been forbidden from purchasing nicotine vapes since 2015, the restrictions around these transactions are now been tightened up.
Now, it is illegal to sell any vape or nicotine product to anyone under-18 in the UK - so nicotine pouches, strips and pearls, as well as non-nicotine vapes are now completely off the table for adolescents.
There was previously no legal age of sale for these other items, but now, all vapes and nicotine products are being treated the same.
As well as this, the government explained that the 'proxy purchasing' of any vape or nicotine product on behalf of someone under 18 is also illegal from today.
The new rules also prevent nicotine products from being promoted in a certain way.
From now on, there will be no vapes or nicotine products offered out as part of free giveaways, while coupons promoting them cannot be dispersed.
Selling them at a substantial discount to promote the product is also prohibited from Thursday.
Vending machines that sell or dispense vapes, nicotine pouches or related products are banned UK-wide, with one small exception: vaping products can still be available in-patient areas of adult mental health hospitals in England and Wales.
How will the new rules be enforced?
Trading Standards will take the lead on this and will be able to dole out new fixed penalty notices of £200 across England and Wales to anyone who dares to breach the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.
John Herriman, chief executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), celebrated that 'loopholes they have been raising concerns about for years' are finally being closed.
"Most people would be surprised to learn that it has been legal to sell nicotine pouches and nicotine-free vapes to children, and our officers have too often had to tell worried parents that there was nothing they could do," he said.
"From today, that changes. The new fixed penalty notices will also give Trading Standards a quicker, more proportionate way to deal with non-compliance, while robust action continues against those who deliberately flout the law."
The government is pumping up to £30 million a year into enforcement agencies who will be imposing these new rules - including up to £10 million a year specifically for Trading Standards - until 2028/29.
There will also be 120 new specialist apprentices to boost the workforce tackling illegal and underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.
Further aspects of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will come into force from next year.
On New Year's Day 2027, it will become illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
This means that anyone born from that date onward will never legally be sold tobacco in their lifetime.
On top of that, there's a comprehensive ban on advertising and sponsorship of these products which the government in the works, which is expected to be implemented from 1 June 2027.
Proposals to restrict product packaging, flavours, displays and on widening smoke-free and introducing vape-free places are also being considered.
Will the new measures work?
Johnson said the 'landmark' legislation will 'protect young people and stop businesses from cashing in on our children’s health'.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty concurred, adding: "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."
Andrew McCracken, Director of External Affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, is also among those celebrating the introduction of the new rules from today.
He reckons it's a crucial step towards protecting the health of the next generation.
"Today’s restrictions tighten the net on vape manufacturers who for too long have profited from harming kids’ lungs," McCracken said.
“Children are especially vulnerable to the dangerous effects of vaping as their lungs are still developing.
"Yet, vape manufacturers have spent years designing products that look and taste like sweets, and too many young people are growing up addicted to nicotine.
"These restrictions are an important step towards protecting the lung health of the next generation, but they are not the final step.
"Next we need to look at further restricting vape product packaging, flavours and displays."
Olivia Burke