Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (GOV.UK) (the 'Act') has now received Royal Assent. In broad terms, the Act will introduce a range of measures in relation to tobacco, vapes and other nicotine products, including the 'smoke-free generation' ban (prohibiting the sale of tobacco to those born on or after 1 January 2009), enhanced controls on advertising and products, and new provisions for smoke-free, vape-free and heated tobacco-free places.
The Act establishes a retail licensing regime under which any individual selling, exposing for sale or possessing for sale tobacco, vapes or other nicotine products will require a personal licence. In addition, the premises from which such products are stored, exposed or supplied (including dispatch to customers) will require a premises licence. We await the publication of further regulations which will set out the detailed structure and operation of the new licensing regime.
Under the Act, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland an individual must not sell, expose for sale or possess for sale tobacco, vapes or other nicotine products except under the authority of, and in accordance with, a personal licence. In addition, premises must not be used for the storage for sale, exposure for sale or supply of such products (including dispatch to customers) except under the authority of, and in accordance with, a premises licence. In practical terms, this means both a personal licence and a premises licence will be required for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If this is managed in the same way as the alcohol regime, an exam will need to be taken and passed for the person to obtain their personal licence.
At present, we anticipate that this regime will come into force between October 2026 and January 2027. It is estimated this will be when guidance, regulations, and a fee structure has been established, but a formal date is yet to be announced.
The Act applies to retail sale of ‘relevant products’, which include:
• Vapes
• Cigarettes
• Hand-rolled tobacco
• Cigars
• Pipe tobacco
• Chewing tobacco
• Nasal tobacco (Snuff)
• Herbal smoking products
• Cigarette papers
• Waterpipe tobacco products (for example, shisha)
The premises this will apply to include:
• Supermarkets
• Corner shops
• Vape and tobacco shops
• Petrol stations
• Hospitality premises offering shisha and/or similar products
• Digital retail including websites and apps
Please see Tobacco and Vapes Act FAQs (GOV.UK) for further information.
Last updated: 13/05/2026 16:32
