The Tobacco and Vapes Act: what changes from 29 October.
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 became law on 29 April 2026, and the first set of vape rules switch on at the end of this month. Some changes happen straight away, others are still being consulted on, and a lot of what you might have read online mixes the two up.
Here's what's actually changing for UK vapers, when it happens, and what's still only a proposal.
Short version? Here you go.
What is the Tobacco and Vapes Act?
It's the biggest change to UK vape law since the 2016 product rules came in, and it was passed as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill before getting Royal Assent on 29 April 2026.
The Act does two broad things. It sets new rules on who can buy vapes and how they can be sold, which mostly start this autumn. And it gives the government powers to set future rules by regulation, covering things like packaging, flavour descriptions, shop displays, advertising and retailer licensing. Those future rules have to be consulted on first, so they'll arrive in stages between 2027 and 2029.
It sits alongside two other changes you may already have seen: the Vaping Products Duty that started on 1 October 2026, and the vape duty stamps that every product will need from April 2027. Those come from tax law, not this Act, but they're all part of the same shake-up.
18+ for everything, from 29 October.
Until now, the law in England, Wales and Northern Ireland only made it illegal to sell nicotine vapes to under-18s. From 29 October 2026 the age of sale becomes 18 for all vaping and nicotine products. That includes:
✓ Nicotine-free vapes and 0mg e-liquids
✓ Nicotine pouches, strips and pearls
✓ Products using synthetic nicotine
Scotland already covered nicotine-free vapes, and its age-verification policy rules now stretch to nicotine products too. Buying a vape or nicotine product for someone under 18 (proxy purchasing) is also an offence across the UK.
Nothing changes at our tills: we already run Challenge 25 in every store and age-check every online order. If you look under 25, bring photo ID. Our Challenge 25 guide lists the ID we accept.
No more freebies or big promo discounts.
Also from 29 October 2026, it becomes an offence for any business to give away vaping or nicotine products, or coupons for them, to promote them. That covers in-store samples, online giveaways, events and marketing campaigns. It even covers branded items that promote a vape product, such as a branded charger.
Shops also can't sell vapes or nicotine products at a substantial discount where the aim or effect is promotion. Government guidance describes this as a price cut that significantly lowers the cost compared with the normal selling price, and says that selling something for a token amount like 10p would likely be an offence.
What's not banned: ordinary discounting. The guidance says shops can still reduce the price of unsold stock, and bulk and trade discounts can still apply.
If you've been used to grabbing a free sample to try a new flavour, ask in store instead. Our team can talk you through how a flavour tastes and which nicotine strength and device suit it, they just can't hand out free bottles any more.
Vape vending machines are out.
The Act also stops vapes being sold through vending machines. You won't have seen many in the UK, but the ban means they can't appear in the future either.
Enforcement gets tougher too. Trading Standards will be able to hand out £200 fixed penalty notices in England, Wales and Scotland for underage sales, proxy purchasing, free distribution and substantial discounting (Northern Ireland's is planned at £250, subject to Assembly approval). Bigger cases can still go to court.
Your favourite flavours aren't being banned on 29 October. The big flavour and packaging changes are still only proposals.
Flavours, packaging and shop displays.
This is where most of the confusion is. The Act gives the government the power to restrict these things, but nothing has been decided yet.
A UK-wide consultation on vape and nicotine product packaging, appearance, flavour descriptions and display closed at 11.59pm on 2 October 2026. The proposals it asked about include:
| Proposal | What it could mean |
|---|---|
| Plain packaging | Plain white packs with limited branding and standard product information |
| Flavour descriptions | Flavour names limited to simple words (like a fruit name), with descriptors referencing sweets, desserts, alcohol or energy drinks ruled out |
| Device appearance | Devices limited to black, white or grey, with limits on lights, screens and branding |
| Shop displays | Vapes kept out of sight behind the counter in closed units, like tobacco |
The key word is proposals. The government now has to review the responses and then lay regulations, and businesses are expected to get notice before anything starts. Even then, the proposals are mainly about how flavours are named and packaged, not removing whole flavour families from sale.
If you like a particular flavour, note down the brand and product name now. If packs and names change later, it'll make finding it again much easier. Our fruit e-liquid guide is a good place to start.
The vape law timeline.
Here's how the changes line up, including the tax dates that run alongside the Act.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2026 | Vaping Products Duty starts (£2.20 per 10ml of vape liquid) |
| 29 Oct 2026 | 18+ for all vape and nicotine products, free sample and substantial discount ban, vending machine ban, new £200 fines |
| 1 Jan 2027 | Tobacco can't be sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 (tobacco only, not vapes) |
| 1 Apr 2027 | Every vaping product sold in the UK must carry a duty stamp |
| 1 Jun 2027 (planned) | Vape and nicotine advertising and sponsorship ban |
| 2027 to 2029 | Packaging, flavour description, display, retail licensing and product registration rules, after consultation |
Dates from 2027 onwards depend on regulations that are still being finalised, so we'll keep this post updated as they're confirmed.
Pod kits that take any bottled liquid.
Whatever happens with packaging, a refillable pod kit lets you choose your own e-liquid and nicotine strength. These are three of the kits our team recommend most.
What it means for you as an adult vaper.
For most adult vapers, 29 October won't change much day to day. You can still buy your usual kit, pods and e-liquids, and normal sales and offers can still happen. The main things you'll notice:
1. More ID checks. Nicotine-free vapes and nicotine pouches now need the same age checks as nicotine vapes. Have ID ready if you look under 25.
2. No freebies. No free samples, free devices or branded giveaways, anywhere.
3. Packaging changes later. Over the next couple of years, boxes, flavour names and how products are displayed in shops are likely to change, but only once final rules are published.
Prices have already moved because of the new duty, so it's worth checking you're on the right setup. A refillable pod kit with replacement pods gives you more choice over your e-liquid. See our vape tax guide for how the duty affects prices.
Ask us in store. We're happy to help.
Pop into your local I Love Vapour store and our team will talk you through what's changing and help you find the right kit and e-liquid.
Or shop online with free UK delivery on orders over £20.
Shop pod kits →Tobacco and Vapes Act: your questions answered.
When does the Tobacco and Vapes Act come into force for vapes?
The Act became law on 29 April 2026, but its rules start in stages. The first vape changes (18+ for all vape and nicotine products, the free sample and substantial discount ban, and the vending machine ban) start on 29 October 2026. Packaging, display and licensing rules are expected between 2027 and 2029.
Are vape flavours being banned in the UK?
Not on 29 October. The government has consulted on limiting how flavours are described and packaged, for example using simple names like a fruit rather than sweet or dessert references. No final decision has been published, and the proposals focus on names and packaging rather than removing flavours.
Do I need ID to buy a nicotine-free vape?
From 29 October 2026, nicotine-free vapes and 0mg e-liquids can only be sold to adults aged 18 and over across the UK. We run Challenge 25, so if you look under 25 we'll ask for photo ID, whether it's nicotine or nicotine-free.
Can vape shops still run offers?
Yes, normal offers can continue. What's banned is giving products away free to promote them, and selling at a substantial discount where the aim is promotion. Government guidance says ordinary discounting, reducing unsold stock and bulk or trade discounts can still apply.
Does the new law affect nicotine pouches?
Yes. From 29 October 2026, nicotine pouches, strips and pearls can only be sold to adults aged 18 and over, and free giveaways of them are banned. Read more in our ZYN nicotine pouches guide.
Is the generational smoking ban the same as a vape ban?
No. The rule that stops tobacco being sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 applies to tobacco products from 1 January 2027. It doesn't apply to vapes, which are covered by the 18+ age of sale.
18+ only. Our products are only for adults aged 18 and over. Challenge 25 applies in all our stores and to every online order.
Warning: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. Vaping products are not suitable for non-smokers, people under 18, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.