All vapes become 18+ on 29 October: what parents need to know

Press release · For immediate release · 5 October 2026

From Thursday 29 October 2026, it will be illegal anywhere in the UK to sell any vape, including nicotine-free vapes, or any nicotine product such as nicotine pouches, to anyone under 18. Adults who buy them for under-18s will also be breaking the law.

Until now, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the age-of-sale law only covered vapes containing nicotine, which meant nicotine-free vapes could legally be sold to children. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 closes that gap. Shops caught selling to under-18s can be given a £200 fixed penalty in England, Wales and Scotland, as well as being prosecuted, and free samples and large promotional discounts on vapes and nicotine products are banned.

The change comes four weeks after the new Vaping Products Duty came into force on 1 October, adding £2.20 duty to every 10ml of vape liquid, or up to £2.64 with VAT.

QuitVaping.co.uk, a free and independent UK quit-vaping service, has published a guide for parents and a free pack for schools to coincide with the change.

"Closing the nicotine-free loophole matters. Shops have been able to sell flavoured vapes to children simply because they contained no nicotine. From 29 October, every vape is 18+, and so is buying one for a child."

"If your teenager vapes, stay calm and keep talking. Shame pushes vaping out of sight. Your GP, school nurse and local Stop Smoking Service can help, and many now support young people who want to stop."

Advice for parents

Pick a calm moment to talk, and ask questions before giving opinions.
Be honest that nicotine is addictive, without exaggerating.
Don't buy vapes, or nicotine replacement products, for under-18s.
For help, talk to your GP, the school nurse or your local Stop Smoking Service. Young people can call Childline free on 0800 1111.
Report shops selling vapes to children to Trading Standards.

Notes to editors

QuitVaping.co.uk is a free, independent UK website and programme that helps adults stop vaping at their own pace, without going back to cigarettes. Its health content follows NHS, NICE and NCSCT guidance and is reviewed by named clinicians.
QuitVaping takes no money from the vape, tobacco or nicotine-pouch industries.
About 5.5 million adults in Great Britain vape, and around 2 million have tried to stop; about 1 in 5 of those who tried used cigarettes to get off the vape (ASH, 2026).
Key facts, logos and more quotes: quitvaping.co.uk/press.
Interviews and comment: hello@quitvaping.co.uk.

Sources

Issued 5 October 2026.