Smoking and vaping: guidance, policy and regulation
Guidance, policy and regulation on tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.
This collection brings together guidance, policy and regulation on tobacco, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping and nicotine products in the UK.
It is for:
- retailers and businesses selling tobacco, vaping or nicotine products
- manufacturers and importers needing to comply with UK regulation
It includes guidance on the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, UK product regulation and packaging requirements.
Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026: guidance
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 became law on 29 April 2026. It introduces a range of new measures:
- from 29 October 2026, measures include the age of sale restriction for nicotine and vape products, fixed penalty notices and a vape and nicotine products vending machine ban
- from 1 January 2027, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009
The guidance below helps to implement these changes.
Tobacco, vapes and herbal smoking products: regulation
Information for manufacturers, importers and retailers of tobacco, vapes and herbal smoking products on complying with UK regulation.
Updates to this page
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Updated to add guidance on the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 and remove out-of-date publications.
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Re-tagging from Public Health England to Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
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Added 'Smoking and tobacco: applying All Our Health'.
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Added Stop smoking options: guidance for conversations with patients.
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First published.