What is the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?

Smoking and vaping are commonplace in UK society, as many adults regularly use the products.

However, the UK government is striving to create a smoke-free generation by making it illegal for people born on or after the 1st of January 2009 to purchase tobacco and vaping devices.

As a result, Parliament recently passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to prevent future generations from accessing the products.

If you are unsure what it is and if it will affect you, here is all you need to know about the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Who Will the Tobacco and Vapes Bill Affect?

If you listened to King Charles III’s speech to Parliament in 2023, you would know the government plans to introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to stop people born after January 2009 from purchasing tobacco and vape products.

To put this into perspective, it means any child who turns 16 years old in 2025 will never be legally allowed to purchase tobacco.

The goal is to stop the next generation from smoking, which has been backed by numerous organizations, including the NHS Confederation and the British Heart Foundation.

When Was the New Legislation Introduced?

The House of Commons introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the 5th of November 2024 with its first reading.

Who Voted for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill recently received multiple readings and a public bill committee.

The first reading was held in the House of Commons on the 5^{th of}November 2024. It was followed by a second reading on the 26th of November 2024, which included a debate followed by a vote. As a result, the bill passed due to 415 votes in its favor and it had 47 votes against it.

Following the second reading, a public bill committee was held to debate the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. As a result, various amendments were made on the 30th of January 2025.

A third reading and report stage was held on the 26th of March 2025 and resulted in 366 votes in its favor, with only 41 votes against.

How Will the Bill Affect Adult Smokers?

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will not impact over 18’s ability to buy tobacco products, cigarette papers, and herbal smoking products.

Anyone who can buy tobacco products or vapes from supermarkets or online sites like Superior Vapour will still have a legal right to do so.

However, the new legislation may soon impact where you can use them, as it will provide additional powers to ban smoking indoors and in various outdoor spaces.

The government is reportedly attempting to ban smoking:

Outside schools
In children’s playgrounds
At hospitals

It is committed to strengthening the ban in workplaces, public spaces, and other settings near children or vulnerable people. This will be subject to consultation and will feature in secondary legislation.

What’s more, the bill will allow the UK government to make any setting vape-free. However, it will need to be cautious when doing so, as it will not want to prevent people from using vaping products to support smoking cessation.

Also, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sponsorship of advertising of the products and will support stricter regulations for its packaging, flavors, and marketing displays of vape products.

When Will Tobacco Sale Restrictions Be Introduced?

Sales restrictions will be introduced on the 1st of January 2027, as it is the date children born on the 1st of January 2009 will turn 18 years old.

As a result, they will not have a legal right to purchase tobacco products anywhere in the UK.

How Will the Bill Affect the Vaping Industry?

The UK government has acknowledged that vaping is a helpful tool for quitting smoking for good.

However, it wants to take greater control of its marketing and sales, as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will enable it to standardize vape products and regulate its design.

As a result, retailers across the country will need a license to sell all tobacco, vapes, and medicinal nicotine products.

What Are the Consequences of an Underage Sale?

Trading standards officers in England and Wales will have the power to provide an on-the-spot fixed penalty notice of £200 to any retailer guilty of underage sales. However, they could receive a much higher fine of £2,500 for offenses connected to licensing.