OpenLegislation

Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 in England

2026 c. 18 · Enacted 29 April 2026 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 41 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
sch. 9 para. 15(a)(b)(d)coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (Commencement No. 1, Transitional and Saving Provisions) 2026 reg. 2(2)
s. 52coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
s. 72coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
s. 73coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
s. 76coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 1coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 2coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 3coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 4coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 5coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 6coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 7coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 8coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 9coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 10coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 11coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
s. 87omittedTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 Sch. 13 para. 15(2)
Sch. 10omittedTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 Sch. 13 para. 15(2)
Sch. 14 para. 14omittedTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 Sch. 13 para. 15(3)
Sch. 14 para. 16omittedTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 Sch. 13 para. 15(3)
Sch. 15 para. 9omittedTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 Sch. 13 para. 15(4)
s. 1coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
s. 2coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
s. 5coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
s. 6coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 12coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 7 para. 13coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 1coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 2coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 3coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 4coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 5coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 6coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 7coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 8coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 9coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 10coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 11coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 12coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
s. 44(2)coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)
Sch. 15 para. 13coming into forceTobacco and Vapes Act 2026 s. 175(3)

An Act to make provision about the supply of tobacco, vapes and other products, including provision prohibiting the sale of tobacco to people born on or after 1 January 2009 and provision about the licensing of retail sales and the registration of retailers; to enable product and information requirements to be imposed in connection with tobacco, vapes and other products; to control the advertising and promotion of tobacco, vapes and other products; and to make provision about smoke-free places, vape-free places and heated tobacco-free places.

[29th April 2026]

Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part 1: Sale and distribution: England and Wales
  2. Sale of tobacco etc
  3. 1Sale of tobacco etc
  4. 2Purchase of tobacco etc on behalf of others Not yet in force
  5. 3Tobacco vending machines
  6. 4Sale of unpackaged cigarettes
  7. 5Age of sale notice at point of sale: England
  8. 6Age of sale notice at point of sale: Wales
  9. Snus etc
  10. 7Ban on manufacture of snus etc
  11. 8Ban on sales of snus etc
  12. 9Possession of snus etc with intent to supply
  13. Sale of vaping and nicotine products etc
  14. 10Sale of vaping or nicotine products to under 18s
  15. 11Purchase of vaping or nicotine products on behalf of under 18s
  16. 12Vaping and nicotine product vending machines
  17. Displays of products or prices
  18. 13Displays of products or prices in England
  19. 14Displays of products or prices in Wales
  20. Free distribution and discounts
  21. 15Free distribution and discount of products
  22. Retail licensing: England
  23. 16Prohibition of retail sales of tobacco products etc in England without a licence
  24. 17Offences in connection with licences: England Not yet in force
  25. 18Financial penalties for breach of licence conditions: England
  26. Retail licensing: Wales
  27. 19Prohibition of retail sales of tobacco products etc in Wales without a licence
  28. 20Offences in connection with licences: Wales Not yet in force
  29. 21Financial penalties for breach of licence conditions: Wales
  30. 22Repeal of register of retailers of tobacco and nicotine products in Wales etc Not yet in force
  31. Restricted premises orders
  32. 23Restricted premises orders
  33. 24Restricted premises orders: interested persons
  34. 25Restricted premises orders: appeals
  35. 26Breach of restricted premises orders
  36. 27Power to extend restricted premises orders in Wales
  37. Restricted sale orders
  38. 28Restricted sale orders
  39. 29Restricted sale orders: appeals
  40. 30Breach of restricted sale orders
  41. Offences by bodies
  42. 31Liability of others for certain offences committed by bodies
  43. Enforcement functions
  44. 32Enforcement authorities
  45. 33Programme of enforcement action: England
  46. 34Programme of enforcement action: Wales
  47. Powers of ministers to take over enforcement
  48. 35Power of ministers to take over enforcement functions
  49. 36Power of ministers to take over proceedings
  50. Fixed penalties: England
  51. 37Fixed penalty notices: England
  52. 38Fixed penalties in England: use of proceeds
  53. 39Power to change amount of fixed penalties: England
  54. Fixed penalties: Wales
  55. 40Fixed penalty notices: Wales
  56. 41Fixed penalties in Wales: use of proceeds
  57. 42Power to change amount of fixed penalties: Wales
  58. Handing over tobacco etc to underage people in Wales
  59. 43Handing over tobacco etc to underage people in Wales
  60. Consequential, transitional and transitory provision
  61. 44Consequential amendments to do with Part 1
  62. 45Application of programmes of enforcement to old age of sale offences
  63. 46Application of fixed penalty regime to old age of sale offences
  64. 47Transitional provision: general
  65. Powers to adjust scope
  66. 48Power to extend Part 1 to other products
  67. Crown application
  68. 49Crown application
  69. Interpretation etc
  70. 50Interpretation of Part 1
  71. 51Meaning of “nicotine product”
  72. Part 4: Snus etc: seizure and detention powers
  73. 92Power of officer of Revenue and Customs to seize and detain snus etc
  74. 93Extension of section 92 to filters
  75. Part 5: Product and information requirements etc
  76. Product requirements etc
  77. 94Retail packaging
  78. 95Features of products
  79. 96Contents and flavour
  80. 97Substances released into human body and emissions
  81. Non-compliant images
  82. 98Non-compliant images
  83. Registration and information requirements
  84. 99Registration
  85. 100Information
  86. 101Studies
  87. 102Responsible person
  88. Quality control and safety
  89. 103Testing
  90. 104Product safety
  91. Matters dealt with by 2016 Regulations
  92. 105Matters dealt with by 2016 Regulations
  93. 106Treatment of 2016 Regulations
  94. Supplementary and miscellaneous
  95. 107Offences
  96. 108Enforcement
  97. 109Sub-delegation
  98. 110Power to make provision binding the Crown
  99. 111Power to amend legislation
  100. 112Consequential repeal
  101. 113Enforcement of 2016 Regulations
  102. Consultation and consent
  103. 114Consultation
  104. 115Consent to regulations under Part 5
  105. Interpretation
  106. 116Interpretation of Part 5
  107. 117Meaning of “nicotine product”
  108. Part 6: Advertising and sponsorship
  109. Advertising Not yet in force
  110. 118Publishing advertisements Not yet in force
  111. 119Designing advertisements Not yet in force
  112. 120Printing advertisements Not yet in force
  113. 121Distributing advertisements Not yet in force
  114. 122Causing publication, designing, printing or distribution Not yet in force
  115. 123Internet services Not yet in force
  116. 124Exceptions for internet service providers (conduits, caching and hosting) Not yet in force
  117. 125Advertising defences: general Not yet in force
  118. 126Advertising defence: public health campaigns Not yet in force
  119. 127Specialist tobacconists Not yet in force
  120. 128Exclusion for advertisements that are displays Not yet in force
  121. Brandsharing Not yet in force
  122. 129Brandsharing Not yet in force
  123. Sponsorship
  124. 130Sponsorship: tobacco products Not yet in force
  125. 131Sponsorship: vaping and nicotine and other products
  126. Audiovisual services and radio broadcasting Not yet in force
  127. 132Audiovisual services and radio broadcasting Not yet in force
  128. 133Extension of provisions about audiovisual and radio broadcasting Not yet in force
  129. Offences by bodies Not yet in force
  130. 134Liability of others for offences committed by bodies Not yet in force
  131. Enforcement Not yet in force
  132. 135Enforcement authorities Not yet in force
  133. 136Power of ministers etc to take over enforcement functions Not yet in force
  134. 137Power of ministers etc to take over proceedings Not yet in force
  135. Alignment of definition in old advertising legislation pending replacement
  136. 138Alignment of definition of “tobacco product” in old legislation
  137. Power to extend advertising legislation Not yet in force
  138. 139Power to extend Part 6 and Communications Act 2003 to other products Not yet in force
  139. Crown application
  140. 140Crown application
  141. Interpretation
  142. 141Interpretation of Part 6
  143. Part 7: Smoke-free places, vape-free places and other free-from places Not yet in force
  144. England Not yet in force
  145. 142Addition of smoke-free places in England Not yet in force
  146. 143Smoke-free premises: recasting of power to exempt performers Not yet in force
  147. 144No-smoking signs in England Not yet in force
  148. 145Vape-free places in England Not yet in force
  149. 146Heated tobacco-free places in England Not yet in force
  150. 147Amendments consequential on sections 142 to 146 Not yet in force
  151. Scotland Not yet in force
  152. 148No-smoking premises in Scotland Not yet in force
  153. 149No-smoking signs in Scotland Not yet in force
  154. 150Vape-free premises in Scotland Not yet in force
  155. 151Heated tobacco-free premises in Scotland Not yet in force
  156. 152Amendments consequential on sections 148 to 151 Not yet in force
  157. Wales Not yet in force
  158. 153Smoke-free places and vehicles in Wales: duty to consult Not yet in force
  159. 154Smoke-free vehicles in Wales Not yet in force
  160. 155No-smoking signs in Wales Not yet in force
  161. 156Vape-free places in Wales Not yet in force
  162. 157Heated tobacco-free places in Wales Not yet in force
  163. 158Amendments consequential on sections 153 to 157 Not yet in force
  164. Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  165. 159Additional smoke-free places in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  166. 160No-smoking signs in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  167. 161Vape-free places in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  168. 162Heated tobacco-free places in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  169. 163Amendments consequential on sections 159 to 162 Not yet in force
  170. Ships Not yet in force
  171. 164Power to prohibit vaping etc on ships Not yet in force
  172. Part 8: General
  173. 165Review of Act
  174. 166Application to Parliament
  175. 167Further consequential amendments Not yet in force
  176. 168Power of Secretary of State to make consequential provision
  177. 169Power of Scottish Ministers to make consequential provision
  178. 170Power of Welsh Ministers to make consequential provision
  179. 171Power of Northern Ireland department to make consequential provision
  180. 172Regulations: general
  181. 173Regulations and orders: procedure
  182. 174Extent
  183. 175Commencement: Parts 1 to 4
  184. 176Commencement: Parts 5 to 8
  185. 177Transitional provision
  186. 178Short title
  187. Schedule 1: Retail licensing scheme: England
  188. 1Introduction
  189. 2Licensing authority
  190. 3Grant of licence
  191. 4Licence fee
  192. 5Licence conditions
  193. 6Duration etc of licence
  194. 7Publication of licence information
  195. 8Reviews and appeals
  196. 9Guidance
  197. 10Sub-delegation
  198. 11Interpretation
  199. Schedule 2: Financial penalties for breach of retail licence conditions: England Not yet in force
  200. 1Introduction Not yet in force
  201. 2Notices of intent Not yet in force
  202. 3Right to make representations Not yet in force
  203. 4Final notices Not yet in force
  204. 5Appeals Not yet in force
  205. 6Recovery Not yet in force
  206. 7Use of proceeds Not yet in force
  207. Schedule 3: Retail licensing scheme: Wales
  208. 1Introduction
  209. 2Grant of licence
  210. 3Licence fee
  211. 4Licence conditions
  212. 5Duration etc of licence
  213. 6Publication of licence information
  214. 7Reviews and appeals
  215. 8Guidance
  216. 9Sub-delegation
  217. 10Interpretation
  218. Schedule 4: Financial penalties for breach of retail licence conditions: Wales Not yet in force
  219. 1Introduction Not yet in force
  220. 2Notices of intent Not yet in force
  221. 3Right to make representations Not yet in force
  222. 4Final notices Not yet in force
  223. 5Appeals Not yet in force
  224. 6Recovery Not yet in force
  225. 7Use of proceeds Not yet in force
  226. Schedule 5: Handing over tobacco etc to underage people in Wales
  227. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  228. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  229. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  230. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  231. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  232. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  233. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  234. 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
  235. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  236. 10Paragraph 10
  237. 11Paragraph 11
  238. 12Paragraph 12 Not yet in force
  239. 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
  240. 14Paragraph 14
  241. 15Paragraph 15
  242. Schedule 6: Part 1: consequential amendments commencing after 6 months
  243. 1Children and Young Persons Act 1933
  244. 2Paragraph 2
  245. 3Paragraph 3
  246. 4Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991
  247. 5Paragraph 5
  248. 6Paragraph 6
  249. 7Paragraph 7
  250. 8Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002
  251. 9Paragraph 9
  252. 10Paragraph 10
  253. 11Health Act 2006
  254. 12Paragraph 12
  255. 13Paragraph 13
  256. 14Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
  257. 15Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008
  258. 16Health Act 2009
  259. 17Paragraph 17
  260. 18Paragraph 18
  261. 19Children and Families Act 2014
  262. 20Paragraph 20
  263. 21Paragraph 21
  264. 22Paragraph 22
  265. 23Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507)
  266. 24Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 (anaw 2)
  267. 25Paragraph 25
  268. 26Paragraph 26
  269. 27Paragraph 27
  270. 28Paragraph 28
  271. 29Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
  272. Schedule 7: Part 1: consequential amendments commencing on 1 January 2027 Not yet in force
  273. 1Children and Young Persons Act 1933 Not yet in force
  274. 2Protection of Children (Tobacco) Act 1986 Not yet in force
  275. 3Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 Not yet in force
  276. 4Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 Not yet in force
  277. 5Police Reform Act 2002 Not yet in force
  278. 6Courts Act 2003 Not yet in force
  279. 7Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 Not yet in force
  280. 8Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 Not yet in force
  281. 9Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 Not yet in force
  282. 10Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  283. 11Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 Not yet in force
  284. 12Children and Families Act 2014 Not yet in force
  285. 13Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 Not yet in force
  286. 2Paragraph 2
  287. 3Paragraph 3
  288. 4Paragraph 4
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  290. 6Paragraph 6
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  325. 25Paragraph 25
  326. 26Paragraph 26
  327. 28Paragraph 28
  328. 29Paragraph 29
  329. 30Paragraph 30
  330. Schedule 16: Advertising etc: audiovisual and radio broadcasting Not yet in force
  331. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  332. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  333. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  334. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  335. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  336. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  337. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  338. Schedule 17: Amendments consequential on sections 142 to 146 Not yet in force
  339. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  340. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  341. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  342. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  343. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  344. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  345. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  346. Schedule 18: Amendments consequential on sections 148 to 151 Not yet in force
  347. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  348. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  349. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  350. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
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  353. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
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  355. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  356. Schedule 19: Amendments consequential on sections 153 to 157 Not yet in force
  357. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  358. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  359. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  360. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
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  378. 22Paragraph 22 Not yet in force
  379. 23Paragraph 23 Not yet in force
  380. 24Paragraph 24 Not yet in force
  381. Schedule 20: Amendments consequential on sections 159 to 162 Not yet in force
  382. 1Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  383. 2Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  384. 3Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  385. 4Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  386. 5Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 26 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  387. Schedule 21: Consequential amendments: general Not yet in force
  388. 1Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 Not yet in force
  389. 2Communications Act 2003 Not yet in force
  390. 3Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 Not yet in force
  391. 4Health Act 2009 Not yet in force
  392. 5Health Act 2009 Not yet in force
  393. 6Health Act 2009 Not yet in force
  394. 7Health Act 2009 Not yet in force
  395. 8Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  396. 9Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  397. 10Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  398. 11Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  399. 12Consumer Rights Act 2015 Not yet in force
  400. 13Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  401. 14Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  402. 15Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  403. 16Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  404. 17Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  405. 18Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  406. 19Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  407. 20Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 14) Not yet in force
  408. 21Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 14) Not yet in force
  409. 22Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 14) Not yet in force
  410. 23Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 Not yet in force
  411. 24Media Act 2024 Not yet in force
  412. 25Media Act 2024 Not yet in force
  413. 26Media Act 2024 Not yet in force