Tobacco and Vapes Bill Reaches Final Stage Before Becoming Law

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has now completed its passage through Parliament, with the House of Commons and House of Lords agreeing the final text during the consideration of amendments on 20^th April 2026.

The Bill now awaits Royal Assent, after which it will formally become law.

New Regulatory Powers for Ministers

Once enacted, the legislation will give ministers wide‑ranging powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products. These powers include the ability to control:

• Product flavours
• Packaging and presentation
• Advertising and point‑of‑sale practices
• Product standards and composition

These measures are intended to strengthen the regulatory framework and address concerns around youth access and nicotine addiction.

Creating a “Smoke‑Free Generation”

A key feature of the Bill is the introduction of a rolling age‑of‑sale ban. It will become illegal for retailers to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. This means affected age groups will never legally be able to purchase tobacco products, with the restriction increasing year by year.

Next Steps

Royal Assent is expected shortly. Implementation will follow in stages, supported by secondary legislation and further guidance for retailers and operators.

We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the commencement timetable and regulatory details are published.