Electronic Cigarettes and Tobacco: Licensing
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for publishing the consultation on the proposed retail licensing scheme for tobacco, vape, and nicotine products under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.
Answered by Mrs Sharon Hodgson
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 provides powers for ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce, within their respective nations, a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. A future scheme will strengthen enforcement and support law‑abiding retailers, while tackling those who break the law and put illicit products on our high streets. In doing so, it will support public health.
We ran a call for evidence between October and December 2025 to support policy development and the development of regulations to be laid under the act. This included detailed questions about the design and implementation of the licensing scheme, among other topics. We are carefully considering the evidence gathered to inform our proposals for consultation.
We intend to consult on the new retail licensing scheme in 2027.
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