The Tobacco & Vapes Bill 2026

The new Tobacco and Vapes Act is one of the biggest changes to public health in a generation. It is now UK law and is designed to protect children and young people from the harms of smoking.

The Act, made law in April 2026, will gradually create a “smokefree generation” by making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

What does the new law mean?

The main focus of the new law means that children who turn 18 in the future will not legally be able to be sold tobacco products.

For example:

Someone born in 2008 will still be able to be sold tobacco when they turn 18.
Someone born in 2009 or later will never legally be sold tobacco products.

The goal is simple: to stop future generations from getting hooked on smoking and save lives by reducing smoking-related illnesses over time.

The law applies to all tobacco products, including:

cigarettes
hand-rolling tobacco
cigars
heated tobacco products

Why has the law been introduced?

Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of illness and death in the UK.

It increases the risk of serious health conditions, including:

Cancer (including lung, breast and stomach cancers)
Heart disease
Stroke
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a serious lung disease
Dementia
Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia

Many people start smoking at a young age, often before fully understanding the long-term effects of addiction.

The government says the new law is intended to help prevent future generations from ever starting smoking.

What about vaping?

The Act also introduces new powers to regulate vaping and nicotine products, especially to help reduce their appeal to children and young people.

This includes powers to:

Restrict vape advertising and sponsorship
regulate flavours, packaging and displays
introduce new rules around how vaping products are sold

However, vaping remains an important stop smoking aid for adults who smoke.

Nicotine vapes are considered much less harmful than smoking and can help people quit successfully, particularly when
combined with stop smoking support.

When will the changes happen?

Some parts of the law will happen gradually over the next few years.

The new Tobacco and Vapes Act will be introduced in stages over the next few years. Some changes already have start dates, while others will need more discussion before they happen.

Here is what we know so far.

From 29 April 2026

Advertising for heated tobacco products is now banned, in line with existing restrictions on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

From 29 October 2026

You must be 18 or over to be sold all nicotine products, including nicotine pouches and zero nicotine vapes.

There will also be:

a ban on vape vending machines (except in some adult mental health settings in England and Wales)
a ban on giving away free vapes or nicotine products

From 1 January 2027

Anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never legally be able to be sold tobacco products.

From June 2027

Advertising and sponsorship for vapes and other nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, will be banned.

Between 2027 and 2029

The government will ask the public for feedback before bringing in more changes, including:

more smokefree and vape-free public places
new rules on vape packaging and displays
a licensing system for shops selling tobacco and vape products

The government may confirm more dates and details in the future.

What does this mean for people who currently smoke?

If you are currently 18 or over and smoke, the new law will not stop you from being sold tobacco products in the future.

But it does come alongside continued investment in stop smoking support and public health programmes to help people quit.

Quitting smoking has immediate health benefits at any age. Many people notice improvements in breathing, circulation and energy levels within weeks of stopping smoking.

Support to quit smoking in Sheffield

If you want to quit, Smokefree Sheffield offers free, specialist help, making you up to three times more likely to succeed

Support includes:

One-to-one support and advice from trained advisors. This can be in person, over the phone, online, or by text.
A tailored quit plan
Free nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, sprays, and gum
Free vapes
Cut down to stop
Medication such as cytisine or varenicline (with a prescription charge for those who pay for prescriptions)
We also offer joint support for couples

To speak to Smokefree Sheffield: