Warwickshire County Council has announced that from 1 January 2027, a new law will prohibit the sale of tobacco, herbal smoking products, and cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. This measure is part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, designed to protect future generations from the harms of tobacco and tighten controls on vaping products.
The legislation effectively raises the legal age of sale by one year annually, progressively phasing out tobacco sales for younger demographics. Additionally, the Act prohibits the sale of all vaping and nicotine products, including nicotine pouches and non-nicotine vapes, to individuals under 18 years old.
Councillor Robert Gisbourne, Warwickshire County Councillor for Community Safety and Trading Standards, stated, “This legislation gives children and young people greater protection from vaping and nicotine products by making it harder for them to buy these products. We encourage retailers across Warwickshire to learn about the new rules. Warwickshire Trading Standards will be available to offer advice and support to help businesses follow the law.”
Warwickshire Trading Standards will conduct visits to tobacco and vape retailers in the coming months to offer guidance on the new law. While the Act does not make smoking illegal, it significantly restricts the sale of tobacco products to younger generations. Support services, including stop smoking aids and one-to-one advice, are available for those looking to quit smoking, accessible via www.smokefreecw.co.uk.
Key dates for the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 include: On 29 October 2026, it becomes illegal to sell any vaping or nicotine product to under-18s, vending machines for these products are banned, and proxy purchasing is prohibited, with new enforcement powers including £200 fixed penalty notices. From 1 January 2027, the 'Smoke-Free Generation' policy begins, making tobacco sales illegal to those born after 1 January 2009, with the age of sale increasing annually. Planned restrictions on the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products are set to come into force on 1 June 2027.
Retailers are advised that if a customer appears under 25, age identification should still be requested. The new tobacco sales law complements 'Challenge 25', requiring staff to verify if a customer was born on or after 1 January 2009. Sales must be refused if this condition is met. Affected products include cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco, nasal tobacco (snuff), and shisha. From 1 January 2027, a new A3 statutory notice stating, “It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009” must be displayed by all tobacco retailers.
Further assistance for retailers is available from Warwickshire Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or by emailing tradingstandards@warwickshire.gov.uk. Additional guidance can be found on gov.uk and acs.org.uk.
