Tobacco & Vape Licensing Advice in Cambridgeshire

Tobacco & vape licensing

The government is introducing a retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vape products, it is expected that the scheme will be very similar to that of The Licensing Act 2003. Retailers will be required to obtain a licence or be registered to sell such products. The bill also prohibits (bans) the sale of tobacco to persons born after the 1st of January 2009. There are additional powers which will regulate vaping and nicotine products, packaging, and product standards. There will also be enforcement powers to local authorities such as trading standards which will include offences and penalties.

1. April 2026 Tobacco and vape Bill approved in the House of Lords
2. April 2026 Tobacco and Vape Bill receives Royal Assent - the bill is now an Act of Parliament making it law.

We now await the regulations which will be published well before Act comes into force.

More information and updates will appear here in due course.

Latest update

Whilst the law has been passed it is not yet in force, the consultation of which has been pushed back further into 2027. However, the regulations around packaging and retail displays are being implemented earlier and separately to the licensing process.

Vaping and nicotine products: 29th October 2026

From 29th of October 2026, changes to the existing age of sale restrictions for vaping and nicotine products will come into force under the new act.

It is an offence to sell nicotine or vaping products to anyone under the age of 18, it will also be an offence for anyone aged 18 or over to buy, attempt to buy vaping or nicotine products on behalf of a person under 18 (similar to alcohol laws).

Free distribution or substantial discounting of vaping and tobacco products will also be prohibited where the intent is to promote the product.

Tobacco products: 1st January 2027

As of the 1st of January 2027 the age of sale rules for tobacco products will change. It will be an offence to sell a tobacco product, herbal smoking product, or cigarette papers to a person born on or after 1st of January 2009. This replaces the existing law on sales to under 18's. Therefore, regardless of their age, anyone born on or after 1st January 2009 will not be permitted by law to purchase such goods.

By law, you will have to put up a sign that states:

If your shop already sells alcohol, you may also want to review your existing licence with a licence compliance check, or talk to me about variations to your premises licence. You can contact PC Licensing at any time.