Login
Search

Developing Legislation

Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026

Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026

The Act make provision about the supply of tobacco, vapes and other products, including provision prohibiting the sale of tobacco to people born on or after 1 January 2009 and provision about the licensing of retail sales and the registration of retailers; to enable product and information requirements to be imposed in connection with tobacco, vapes and other products; to control the advertising and promotion of tobacco, vapes and other products; and to make provision about smoke-free places, vape-free places and heated tobacco-free places.

The bill received royal assent following parliamentary approval, introducing stricter regulations on vaping products, including restrictions on marketing, packaging, and flavours, alongside a new tobacco/vape retailer licensing scheme.

Government & Legislation

Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026

Sections 16 to 18 and Schedules 1 and 2 (licensing of retail sales of tobacco products etc in England) come into force (so far as not in force by virtue of subsection (2)) on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint.

IoL Guidance

Institute of Licensing’s Written Evidence on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill .

The Institute of Licensing’s written evidence on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been published by the Public Bill Committee.

Join the Dicussion on the IoL's Forum
Join Special Special Interest Group

Timeline to the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026

Late 2026
Commencement
Commencement and enforcement
  • 29 October 2026: First commencement order in Northern Ireland brings youth‑protection and sales‑restriction provisions into force (from your earlier IoL‑focused rewrite).
  • 1 January 2027: Smoke‑free generation offence begins UK‑wide.
Early to Mid 2026
Act
Final parliamentary stages

March–April 2026 – Final parliamentary stages

  • 9 March 2026: Commons Third Reading (final Commons stage).

  • 23 March 2026: Commons Consideration of Lords Amendments.

  • 20 April 2026: Lords Consideration of Commons Amendments.

 

29 April 2026 – Royal Assent

  • The Bill becomes law as the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (c.18).
  • May 2026 – Publication of the Act
  • 8 May 2026: Act published on legislation.gov.uk.
February 2026
DHSC
Updated DHSC Impact Assessment
  • 4 February 2026: DHSC publishes updated Impact Assessment, modelling enforcement costs, illicit market risks, and the 30‑year appraisal period for the smoke‑free generation.
2025–2026
Devolved legislatures
Devolved legislatures and enforcement context
  • 10 February 2025: Legislative Consent Motion passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
  • 9 December 2025: Legislative Consent Motion passed by Senedd Cymru.
  • 24 March 2026: Legislative Consent Motion passed by the Scottish Parliament. These approvals confirm UK‑wide support for the generational smoking ban and expanded enforcement powers.
January–March 2025
Committee and Report stages
Committee and Report stages
  • 7 January 2025: Commons Committee Stage begins.
  • 26 March 2025: Commons Report Stage and Third Reading completed.
  • 27 March 2025: Bill enters the House of Lords. Lords First Reading.
  • 23 April 2025: Lords Second Reading.
  • 27 October 2025: Lords Committee Stage begins.
  • 24 February 2026: Lords Report Stage.
  • March 2026: Series of amendment papers published (Commons and Lords).
November–December 2024
Commons
Early Commons stages
  • 26 November 2024: Commons Second Reading; Bill passes 415–47.
  • 26 November 2024: Money Resolution and Ways and Means Resolution agreed, enabling financial and taxation‑related provisions.
5 November 2024
Bill
Bill re‑introduced
  • The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is formally re‑introduced in the House of Commons by DHSC.
2024
Pre‑legislative activity
Pre‑legislative activity and election disruption

  • January–May 2024: DHSC prepares the first version of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

  • May 2024: General election called; the Bill falls.

  • Throughout 2024: Police and Trading Standards continue issuing statements about illicit tobacco and illegal vapes, reinforcing the enforcement rationale for a licensing scheme (inference based on later DHSC impact assessment referencing illicit market concerns).

  • October 2024: Government confirms intention to re‑introduce the Bill in the new Parliament.

2023
Government commitment
Formal government commitment
  • April 2023: Prime Minister announces intention to create a “smoke‑free generation” and consult on youth vaping restrictions.
  • October 2023: Government confirms plans for a generational smoking ban and tighter vape regulation, including potential retail licensing.
  • December 2023: DHSC publishes youth vaping consultation outcomes, confirming public support for stronger enforcement and regulation.
2022
Early policy
Early policy signalling

  • April–December 2022: Government and public health bodies begin signalling concern about youth vaping and illicit tobacco. Trading Standards and police forces issue repeated warnings about illegal vapes and under‑age sales (inference based on the pattern of enforcement concerns referenced in later DHSC briefings).

  • June 2022: Khan Review – Making Smoking Obsolete published, recommending a smoke‑free generation and stronger enforcement powers. This becomes the conceptual basis for later legislation.

Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 News