From 29 October 2026, it becomes an offence to sell any vaping product or nicotine product, including nicotine pouches and zero nicotine vapes, to anyone under 18. This applies to online sales as well as shops.

From 1 January 2027, it becomes an offence to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The age of sale then rises by one year every year.

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, chair of the LGA's Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: ‘Most retailers want to get this right, and the ones I speak to are already asking sensible questions about what changes and when. Our message is a simple one: do not leave it until Christmas week.

‘The change on 29 October is the one people are overlooking. Nicotine pouches and zero nicotine vapes come under an age of sale of 18 for the first time, and plenty of shops are still selling them without asking for identification.

‘From January, the question at the till changes. Staff will be checking a date of birth against a fixed date, not making a judgement about whether someone looks old enough. That takes practice, and it takes a conversation with the people working your evening and weekend shifts.

‘Government guidance is published and free, and your council's trading standards service will answer questions. Ask now, while there is time to sort it out.'

Steve Turnbull, Wakefield Council's director of public health, said: ‘This gives us the opportunity to break the cycle and protect future generations from the devastating harms of smoking.

‘With just 100 days to go, retailers, local authorities and enforcement agencies must work together to prepare for these changes and ensure the new law is properly implemented and enforced across our district.'