100 days to go: Retailers urged to prepare for tobacco and vape changes

Retailers are being urged to prepare for major changes to tobacco and vaping laws, with 100 days until it becomes illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The Local Government Association (LGA), representing councils, is reminding shops, online sellers and business groups not to delay preparations. The first changes take effect on 29 October 2026, making it an offence to sell any vaping or nicotine product, including nicotine pouches and zero nicotine vapes, to anyone under 18, both in shops and online. New restrictions also apply to vending machines selling tobacco, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers and vaping products, though vending machines for vaping products will remain allowed in adult mental health inpatient settings in England and Wales. Free distribution and substantial discounts on these products are restricted, and fixed penalty notices become available for a range of offences. From 1 January 2027, it becomes illegal to sell tobacco, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, with the age of sale rising by one year annually. It also becomes an offence for anyone aged 18 or over to buy these products on behalf of someone born on or after that date. Retailers must display a notice stating: "It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009." Councils advise retailers to check age verification policies cover date of birth rather than age alone, brief all till staff including seasonal workers, order new age-of-sale notices in good time, review vending machine stock and promotions, and ensure online age verification and delivery processes comply. Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA's Health and Wellbeing Committee, said most retailers want to get this right but warned against leaving preparations until Christmas week. She highlighted that the 29 October change is often overlooked, with nicotine pouches and zero nicotine vapes now subject to an age of sale of 18 for the first time, and many shops still selling them without ID checks. She noted that from January, staff will check a date of birth against a fixed date rather than judging whether someone looks old enough, requiring practice and conversations with evening and weekend staff. Government guidance is published and free, and council trading standards services are available to answer questions.

(Source：local.gov.uk)