OpenLegislation

Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 in Northern Ireland

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 3: Sale and distribution: Northern Ireland
  2. Sale of tobacco etc
  3. 72Age of sale for tobacco products etc
  4. 73Purchase of tobacco on behalf of others Not yet in force
  5. 74Tobacco vending machines
  6. 75Sale of unpackaged cigarettes
  7. 76Age of sale notice at point of sale
  8. Snus etc
  9. 77Ban on manufacture of snus etc
  10. 78Ban on sales of snus etc
  11. 79Possession of snus etc with intent to supply
  12. Vaping and nicotine products
  13. 80Sale of vaping or nicotine products to under 18s
  14. 81Purchase of vaping or nicotine products on behalf of under 18s
  15. 82Vaping and nicotine product vending machines
  16. Displays of products or prices
  17. 83Displays of products and prices in Northern Ireland
  18. Free distribution and discounts
  19. 84Free distribution and discount of products
  20. Enforcement
  21. 85Programme of enforcement action by district councils
  22. Interpretation of 1978 Order
  23. 86Interpretation of 1978 Order
  24. Retailer register and licensing
  25. 87Extension of retailer register
  26. 88Prohibition of retail sales of tobacco products etc without a licence
  27. Powers to extend legislation
  28. 89Power to extend legislation to other products
  29. Consequential etc, transitional and transitory provision
  30. 90Consequential and other amendments
  31. 91Transitional provision
  32. Part 4: Snus etc: seizure and detention powers
  33. 92Power of officer of Revenue and Customs to seize and detain snus etc
  34. 93Extension of section 92 to filters
  35. Part 5: Product and information requirements etc
  36. Product requirements etc
  37. 94Retail packaging
  38. 95Features of products
  39. 96Contents and flavour
  40. 97Substances released into human body and emissions
  41. Non-compliant images
  42. 98Non-compliant images
  43. Registration and information requirements
  44. 99Registration
  45. 100Information
  46. 101Studies
  47. 102Responsible person
  48. Quality control and safety
  49. 103Testing
  50. 104Product safety
  51. Matters dealt with by 2016 Regulations
  52. 105Matters dealt with by 2016 Regulations
  53. 106Treatment of 2016 Regulations
  54. Supplementary and miscellaneous
  55. 107Offences
  56. 108Enforcement
  57. 109Sub-delegation
  58. 110Power to make provision binding the Crown
  59. 111Power to amend legislation
  60. 112Consequential repeal
  61. 113Enforcement of 2016 Regulations
  62. Consultation and consent
  63. 114Consultation
  64. 115Consent to regulations under Part 5
  65. Interpretation
  66. 116Interpretation of Part 5
  67. 117Meaning of “nicotine product”
  68. Part 6: Advertising and sponsorship
  69. Advertising Not yet in force
  70. 118Publishing advertisements Not yet in force
  71. 119Designing advertisements Not yet in force
  72. 120Printing advertisements Not yet in force
  73. 121Distributing advertisements Not yet in force
  74. 122Causing publication, designing, printing or distribution Not yet in force
  75. 123Internet services Not yet in force
  76. 124Exceptions for internet service providers (conduits, caching and hosting) Not yet in force
  77. 125Advertising defences: general Not yet in force
  78. 126Advertising defence: public health campaigns Not yet in force
  79. 127Specialist tobacconists Not yet in force
  80. 128Exclusion for advertisements that are displays Not yet in force
  81. Brandsharing Not yet in force
  82. 129Brandsharing Not yet in force
  83. Sponsorship
  84. 130Sponsorship: tobacco products Not yet in force
  85. 131Sponsorship: vaping and nicotine and other products
  86. Audiovisual services and radio broadcasting Not yet in force
  87. 132Audiovisual services and radio broadcasting Not yet in force
  88. 133Extension of provisions about audiovisual and radio broadcasting Not yet in force
  89. Offences by bodies Not yet in force
  90. 134Liability of others for offences committed by bodies Not yet in force
  91. Enforcement Not yet in force
  92. 135Enforcement authorities Not yet in force
  93. 136Power of ministers etc to take over enforcement functions Not yet in force
  94. 137Power of ministers etc to take over proceedings Not yet in force
  95. Alignment of definition in old advertising legislation pending replacement
  96. 138Alignment of definition of “tobacco product” in old legislation
  97. Power to extend advertising legislation Not yet in force
  98. 139Power to extend Part 6 and Communications Act 2003 to other products Not yet in force
  99. Crown application
  100. 140Crown application
  101. Interpretation
  102. 141Interpretation of Part 6
  103. Part 7: Smoke-free places, vape-free places and other free-from places Not yet in force
  104. England Not yet in force
  105. 142Addition of smoke-free places in England Not yet in force
  106. 143Smoke-free premises: recasting of power to exempt performers Not yet in force
  107. 144No-smoking signs in England Not yet in force
  108. 145Vape-free places in England Not yet in force
  109. 146Heated tobacco-free places in England Not yet in force
  110. 147Amendments consequential on sections 142 to 146 Not yet in force
  111. Scotland Not yet in force
  112. 148No-smoking premises in Scotland Not yet in force
  113. 149No-smoking signs in Scotland Not yet in force
  114. 150Vape-free premises in Scotland Not yet in force
  115. 151Heated tobacco-free premises in Scotland Not yet in force
  116. 152Amendments consequential on sections 148 to 151 Not yet in force
  117. Wales Not yet in force
  118. 153Smoke-free places and vehicles in Wales: duty to consult Not yet in force
  119. 154Smoke-free vehicles in Wales Not yet in force
  120. 155No-smoking signs in Wales Not yet in force
  121. 156Vape-free places in Wales Not yet in force
  122. 157Heated tobacco-free places in Wales Not yet in force
  123. 158Amendments consequential on sections 153 to 157 Not yet in force
  124. Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  125. 159Additional smoke-free places in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  126. 160No-smoking signs in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  127. 161Vape-free places in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  128. 162Heated tobacco-free places in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  129. 163Amendments consequential on sections 159 to 162 Not yet in force
  130. Ships Not yet in force
  131. 164Power to prohibit vaping etc on ships Not yet in force
  132. Part 8: General
  133. 165Review of Act
  134. 166Application to Parliament
  135. 167Further consequential amendments Not yet in force
  136. 168Power of Secretary of State to make consequential provision
  137. 169Power of Scottish Ministers to make consequential provision
  138. 170Power of Welsh Ministers to make consequential provision
  139. 171Power of Northern Ireland department to make consequential provision
  140. 172Regulations: general
  141. 173Regulations and orders: procedure
  142. 174Extent
  143. 175Commencement: Parts 1 to 4
  144. 176Commencement: Parts 5 to 8
  145. 177Transitional provision
  146. 178Short title
  147. 2Paragraph 2
  148. 3Paragraph 3
  149. 5Paragraph 5
  150. 6Paragraph 6
  151. 7Paragraph 7
  152. 9Paragraph 9
  153. 10Paragraph 10
  154. 12Paragraph 12
  155. 13Paragraph 13
  156. 17Paragraph 17
  157. 18Paragraph 18
  158. 20Paragraph 20
  159. 21Paragraph 21
  160. 22Paragraph 22
  161. 25Paragraph 25
  162. 26Paragraph 26
  163. 27Paragraph 27
  164. 28Paragraph 28
  165. 2Paragraph 2
  166. 3Paragraph 3
  167. 4Paragraph 4
  168. 5Paragraph 5
  169. 6Paragraph 6
  170. 7Paragraph 7
  171. 8Paragraph 8
  172. 9Paragraph 9
  173. 10Paragraph 10
  174. 11Paragraph 11
  175. 12Paragraph 12
  176. 13Paragraph 13
  177. 14Paragraph 14
  178. 15Paragraph 15
  179. 16Paragraph 16
  180. 17Paragraph 17
  181. 18Paragraph 18
  182. 19Paragraph 19
  183. Schedule 10: Extension of retailer register: Northern Ireland
  184. 1Paragraph 1
  185. 2Paragraph 2
  186. 3Paragraph 3
  187. 4Paragraph 4
  188. 5Paragraph 5
  189. 6Paragraph 6
  190. 7Paragraph 7
  191. 8Paragraph 8
  192. Schedule 11Retail licensing scheme in Northern Ireland
  193. Schedule 12Financial penalties for breach of retail licence conditions in Northern Ireland
  194. Schedule 13: Licensing of retail sales of tobacco products etc: consequential amendments Not yet in force
  195. 1Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  196. 2Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  197. 3Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  198. 4Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  199. 5Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  200. 6Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  201. 7Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  202. 8Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  203. 9Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  204. 10Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  205. 11Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  206. 12Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  207. 13Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  208. 14Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  209. 15This Act Not yet in force
  210. Schedule 14: Part 3: consequential and other amendments commencing after 6 months
  211. 1Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1907 (N.I. 26))
  212. 2Paragraph 2
  213. 3Paragraph 3
  214. 4Paragraph 4
  215. 5Paragraph 5
  216. 6Paragraph 6
  217. 7Paragraph 7
  218. 8Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/2872 (N.I. 25))
  219. 9Paragraph 9
  220. 10Paragraph 10
  221. 11Paragraph 11
  222. 12Paragraph 12
  223. 13Paragraph 13
  224. 14Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.))
  225. 15Paragraph 15
  226. 16Paragraph 16
  227. 17Paragraph 17
  228. 18Paragraph 18
  229. 19Paragraph 19
  230. 20Paragraph 20
  231. 21Paragraph 21
  232. 22Paragraph 22
  233. 23Paragraph 23
  234. 24Paragraph 24
  235. 25Paragraph 25
  236. 26Paragraph 26
  237. 27Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 26 (N.I.))
  238. 28Paragraph 28
  239. 29Paragraph 29
  240. 30Paragraph 30
  241. 31Health Act 2009
  242. 32Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
  243. Schedule 15: Part 3: consequential amendments commencing on 1 January 2027 Not yet in force
  244. 1Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (S.I. 1978/1907 (N.I. 26) Not yet in force
  245. 2Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/2872 (N.I. 25)) Not yet in force
  246. 3Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 Not yet in force
  247. 4Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  248. 5Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  249. 6Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  250. 7Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  251. 8Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  252. 9Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  253. 10Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  254. 11Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  255. 12Tobacco Retailers Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 4 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  256. 13Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 Not yet in force
  257. Schedule 16: Advertising etc: audiovisual and radio broadcasting Not yet in force
  258. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  259. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  260. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  261. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  262. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  263. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  264. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  265. Schedule 17: Amendments consequential on sections 142 to 146 Not yet in force
  266. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  267. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  268. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  269. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  270. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  271. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  272. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  273. Schedule 18: Amendments consequential on sections 148 to 151 Not yet in force
  274. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  275. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  276. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  277. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  278. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  279. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  280. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  281. 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
  282. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  283. Schedule 19: Amendments consequential on sections 153 to 157 Not yet in force
  284. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  285. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  286. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  287. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  288. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  289. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  290. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  291. 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
  292. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  293. 10Paragraph 10 Not yet in force
  294. 11Paragraph 11 Not yet in force
  295. 12Paragraph 12 Not yet in force
  296. 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
  297. 14Paragraph 14 Not yet in force
  298. 15Paragraph 15 Not yet in force
  299. 16Paragraph 16 Not yet in force
  300. 17Paragraph 17 Not yet in force
  301. 18Paragraph 18 Not yet in force
  302. 19Paragraph 19 Not yet in force
  303. 20Paragraph 20 Not yet in force
  304. 21Paragraph 21 Not yet in force
  305. 22Paragraph 22 Not yet in force
  306. 23Paragraph 23 Not yet in force
  307. 24Paragraph 24 Not yet in force
  308. Schedule 20: Amendments consequential on sections 159 to 162 Not yet in force
  309. 1Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  310. 2Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  311. 3Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  312. 4Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2957 (N.I. 20)) Not yet in force
  313. 5Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 26 (N.I.)) Not yet in force
  314. Schedule 21: Consequential amendments: general Not yet in force
  315. 1Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 Not yet in force
  316. 2Communications Act 2003 Not yet in force
  317. 3Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 Not yet in force
  318. 4Health Act 2009 Not yet in force
  319. 5Health Act 2009 Not yet in force
  320. 6Health Act 2009 Not yet in force
  321. 7Health Act 2009 Not yet in force
  322. 8Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  323. 9Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  324. 10Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  325. 11Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 3) Not yet in force
  326. 12Consumer Rights Act 2015 Not yet in force
  327. 13Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  328. 14Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  329. 15Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  330. 16Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  331. 17Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  332. 18Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  333. 19Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/507) Not yet in force
  334. 20Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 14) Not yet in force
  335. 21Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 14) Not yet in force
  336. 22Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc. and Care) (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 14) Not yet in force
  337. 23Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 Not yet in force
  338. 24Media Act 2024 Not yet in force
  339. 25Media Act 2024 Not yet in force
  340. 26Media Act 2024 Not yet in force