Vape age law: what changes on 29 October 2026

From 29 October 2026, it's illegal to sell any vape, with or without nicotine, or any nicotine product such as nicotine pouches, to anyone under 18, anywhere in the UK. Here's what's changing, and what it means if you're a parent.

What changes on 29 October 2026?

The age of sale becomes 18 and over for all vaping and nicotine products across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Until now, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the law only covered vapes containing nicotine, so nicotine-free vapes could legally be sold to children. That gap closes.

All vapes: nicotine-free vapes and vape devices, not just nicotine e-liquid.
Nicotine products: nicotine pouches, strips and pearls, including synthetic nicotine.
Buying for under-18s: it's an offence for an adult to buy, or try to buy, these products for someone under 18.
Free samples and promotions: giving vaping or nicotine products away to promote them, or offering big promotional discounts, is banned.
Online shops must check a buyer's age too.
Fines: shops caught selling to under-18s can get a £200 fixed penalty in England, Wales and Scotland (£250 is proposed in Northern Ireland), as well as being prosecuted.

Medicines, such as nicotine replacement therapy, aren't covered by these rules.

Is it illegal for under-18s to vape?

No. The offences are for people who sell vapes to under-18s and adults who buy for them, not for young people who use or carry them. But a child who vapes has usually got the vape from a shop or an adult breaking the law, and from 29 October that includes nicotine-free vapes.

What if a shop sells vapes to children?

Report it to your local Trading Standards. In England and Wales you can do this through the Citizens Advice consumer service. Trading Standards can issue fines and prosecute.

If your child vapes

Try to stay calm and keep talking: shame and punishment tend to push vaping out of sight. Ask what they like about it and whether they'd like to stop. For help, talk to your GP, your child's school nurse or your local Stop Smoking Service, many of which now support young people who want to stop vaping. Please don't buy nicotine replacement products for a child without advice from a health professional.

What else is changing?

Date	Change
1 June 2025	Single-use (disposable) vapes banned from sale
1 October 2026	Vape tax: £2.20 duty on every 10ml of vape liquid
29 October 2026	All vapes and nicotine products 18+; adults can't buy for under-18s
1 January 2027	Smoke-free generation: tobacco can never legally be sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009
1 April 2027	Every vaping product sold must carry a duty stamp
1 June 2027	Advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products banned

Sources

Last updated 4 October 2026. This page explains the law in general terms and isn't legal advice.