Under-18 sales ban extended to nicotine products and all vapes
What was announced
Government implements new restrictions on the sale and promotion of vapes and nicotine products across the UK
Key points, in the publisher's words
- Children will be better protected from respiratory illnesses and nicotine addiction from today (29 October), as new restrictions on the sale and promotion of vapes and nicotine products come into force across the UK.
- More than a million children are estimated to have tried vaping, with more than 370,000 vaping regularly, putting them at a higher risk of developing respiratory illnesses.
- Selling nicotine-containing vapes to under-18s was already illegal. But from today, products that were not previously covered by existing age-of-sales rules, such as nicotine-free vapes and nicotine pouches, strips and pearls, will become illegal.
Figures in this announcement
Each line is quoted from the original. Figures are as the publisher stated them on the day.
- “More than a million children are estimated to have tried vaping, with more than 370,000 vaping regularly, putting them at a higher risk of developing respiratory illnesses.”
- “Enforcement agencies are receiving up to £30 million a year until 2028/29.”
- “This includes up to £10 million a year for Trading Standards and the recruitment of 120 specialist apprentices to strengthen the workforce tackling illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales.”
Who and where
People
- Dame Diana Johnson (MP for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Labour)) · more news
UK bodies of power
- Department of Health and Social Care (UK government department) · more news
- The Scottish Government (devolved administration) · more news
Constituencies of the MPs named: Kingston Upon Hull North And Cottingham.
Where this sits in the 10 levels of power
Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Smoking, Vaping, Health protection, Business regulation, Children's health.
Receipt
- Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/under-18-sales-ban-extended-to-nicotine-products-and-all-vapes
- Published 2026-10-29 09:52:33 UTC
- Read by this site 2026-10-29 10:15:15 UTC from GOV.UK
- Saved copy: receipt 4207, with its SHA-256 fingerprint
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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