New national law aims to create a ‘Smoke-Free Generation’

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 introduces some of the biggest changes to smoking laws in decades, aiming to protect future generations from the harms of tobacco while also tightening controls on vaping products.

Under the new law, from 1^st January 2027, it will be an offence to sell tobacco products (including cigarettes), herbal smoking products and cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

The legal age of sale will effectively rise by one year every year, gradually phasing out tobacco sales to future generations.

The new law also prevents the sale of all vaping and nicotine products, including nicotine pouches and non-nicotine vapes, to under 18-year-olds.

Councillor Robert Gisbourne, Warwickshire County Councillor for Community Safety and Trading Standards, said:

“This legislation gives children and young people greater protection from vaping and nicotine products by making it harder for them to buy these products.

“We encourage retailers across Warwickshire to learn about the new rules. Warwickshire Trading Standards will be available to offer advice and support to help businesses follow the law.”

In the coming months Warwickshire Trading Standards will be visiting tobacco and vape retailers to provide them with guidance on the new law. The Act does not make smoking illegal, but it does restrict the sale of tobacco products to younger generations.

As Warwickshire works towards creating a smoke-free generation, free, tailored support is available to anyone considering joining the change and stopping smoking. This includes stop smoking aids delivered directly to their home, as well as one-to-one advice, digital tools through the Smoke Free app and stop smoking medication. More information is available at www.smokefreecw.co.uk.

Key Dates for the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026

• 29^th October 2026. It becomes illegal to sell any vaping or nicotine product to anyone under 18. Vaping, nicotine and tobacco vending machines are banned as is the free distribution of same. Proxy purchasing is also banned. New enforcement powers including £200 fixed penalty notices come into effect.
• 1^st January 2027. The UK's "Smoke-Free Generation" policy begins. It becomes illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The age of sale will then increase by one year every year, meaning those born after this date will never legally be sold tobacco.
• 1^st June 2027. New restrictions on the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products are planned to come into force.

Advice to traders selling tobacco and vapes

• If a customer looks under 25, staff should still ask for age identification.
• The new law on the sale of tobacco does not replace Challenge 25. It adds an extra check for tobacco sales. When selling tobacco products, staff will also need to check whether the customer was born on or after the 1st January 2009. If born on or after the 1st January 2009, the sale must be refused. Products affected include cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco, nasal tobacco (snuff) and shisha.
• From 1^st January 2027, all retailers selling tobacco products must display a new A3 sized statutory notice that reads: “It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009”

Further guidance

Retailers requiring further help and advice can contact Warwickshire Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or email: tradingstandards@warwickshire.gov.uk

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-tobacco-herbal-smoking-products-and-cigarette-papers
• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-vaping-and-nicotine-products
• https://www.acs.org.uk/campaigns/decline09