A new law banning future generations from buying cigarettes (opens in a new tab) has been passed in a landmark move to create a smoke-free generation. But while the new law aims to create a smoke-free generation, concerns are growing that many young people are already being exposed to nicotine through vapes before they ever reach for a cigarette. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April and will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
The ban will not criminalise smoking itself, but will gradually raise the legal age of sale each year; meaning children currently aged 17 and under will never legally be able to buy cigarettes. The Act has been described by the UK Government as a major step towards creating a “smoke-free generation”. It also gives ministers new powers to regulate vapes and other nicotine products; including restrictions on flavours, packaging, advertising, sponsorship and how products are displayed in shops.
The measures come amid growing concern about youth vaping, with brightly coloured packaging, sweet flavours and disposable products having become increasingly visible among children and teenagers. Although vapes are widely considered less harmful than cigarettes for adult smokers trying to quit, health bodies have repeatedly warned that they are not riskfree and should not be used by children. Public Health Wales has said vaping devices should not be used by children and young people, and that it remains illegal to sell nicotine-containing vapes to anyone under 18.
It has also warned that most vapes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance. In its latest position statement on vapes, Public Health Wales said nicotine dependence is likely to have a negative impact on social and psychological wellbeing, particularly for children and young people. It also said young people using vapes have increasingly reported symptoms of dependence as products have become more effective at delivering nicotine.
Health bodies have repeatedly warned that [vapes] are not risk-free and should not be used by children
This has complicated the idea of a smoke-free generation. The new law is designed to stop young people from starting smoking, but campaigners and public health experts are increasingly focused on whether nicotine addiction is already taking hold through vaping instead. In Wales, the issue forms part of a wider public health push.
The Welsh Government has set a target for Wales to become smokefree by 2030, meaning adult smoking rates would fall to five percent or less. The Senedd backed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill through a Legislative Consent Motion in December 2025, supporting measures to create a smokefree generation and curb youth vaping. Wales has already taken separate action on disposable vapes.
Since 1 June 2025, businesses in Wales have been banned from supplying or offering to supply single-use vape products, whether or not they contain nicotine. Reusable vapes remain legal to sell.