Key Takeaways
- The UK Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent on April 29, 2026.
- The Act gives the Government powers to regulate vapes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and cigarette papers.
- Imperial Brands said many measures will be phased in and subject to further public consultation.
- Restrictions on free distribution and discounting are expected to apply from October 29, 2026.
- The generational smoking ban will take effect on January 1, 2027.
2Firsts, May 11，2026
According to Slrmag Imperial Brands highlighted what the newly approved UK Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 means for retailers, stressing that most measures will be introduced in phases rather than taking effect immediately.
The Act received Royal Assent on April 29
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent on April 29, 2026.
The legislation gives the Government powers to extend tobacco-style regulation to a broader range of products, including vaping products, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and cigarette papers.
Imperial Brands said that while the Act is wide-ranging, many of its provisions will be subject to further public consultation before implementation.
As a result, several major changes are not expected to come into force until later in 2027, once secondary legislation has been developed.
Some measures have confirmed start dates
The report said some elements have confirmed start dates. Restrictions on free distribution and discounting are expected to apply from October 29, 2026.
The most high-profile measure is the generational smoking ban. It will take effect on January 1, 2027, making it illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.
Flavors, display rules and retail licensing remain subject to detail
Other proposed measures are expected to follow later next year, subject to consultation and publication of detailed regulations. These include potential restrictions on flavor descriptors, changes to retail display and the introduction of a retail licensing scheme.
Imperial Brands also expects the Department of Health and Social Care to publish further guidance, alongside an implementation roadmap and timetable for secondary legislation, to help retailers understand how and when each measure will take effect.
Image source: Slrmag
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