New 2025 SHRN data shows regular vaping and smoking have fallen among secondary school learners in Wales. We look at the latest figures, what they mean and why prevention work still matters.
Information / Laws in Wales
Smoking, vaping & nicotine laws in Wales
The rules for tobacco, vapes and nicotine products are changing in stages. This guide separates what applies now from changes starting on 29 October 2026 and 1 January 2027.
Last checked against Welsh Government guidance: 24 September 2026.
Track the next changes: Tobacco & Vapes Act 2026 – live Wales timetable.
Last reviewed: 24 September 2026
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Not every new rule starts on the same day.
Single-use vapes are already banned from supply in Wales. Wider vape and nicotine-product age rules begin on 29 October 2026. The new tobacco age-of-sale system begins on 1 January 2027.
The key dates
Now
Single-use vapes cannot be supplied or offered for supply in Wales. Smoke-free law covers enclosed public places and workplaces, plus specified outdoor settings such as school grounds, hospital grounds and public playgrounds.
29 October 2026
Age 18 becomes the legal minimum for all vaping and nicotine products. Proxy purchasing, promotional giveaways, substantial promotional discounts and vending-machine sales are restricted.
1 January 2027
Tobacco products, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers cannot be sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The same birth-date rule applies to proxy purchasing.
1 June 2027 - intended
The UK Government says it intends to bring the Tobacco and Vapes Act advertising and sponsorship restrictions into force from 1 June 2027. This is a planned commencement date rather than a rule applying today.
What applies in Wales now
Single-use vapes: since 1 June 2025, it has been a criminal offence in Wales to supply or offer to supply a single-use vape to a consumer, including giving one away for free. The rule covers products with or without nicotine. Reusable vapes can still be sold where they meet the relevant rules.
Smoke-free places: smoking is prohibited in enclosed or substantially enclosed public places and workplaces. Welsh law also makes school grounds, hospital grounds, public playgrounds and outdoor areas of day-care and child-minding settings smoke-free.
A ban on sale is not the same as a ban on possession
The single-use vape rules prohibit supply and offers to supply to consumers. The Welsh Government guidance does not describe simple possession by an individual as the offence created by these regulations.
If you see products being sold that you think may be illegal, you do not need to investigate or confront the seller.
What changes on 29 October 2026?
Age of sale: retailers, including online retailers, must not sell any vaping product or nicotine product to anyone under 18. This extends the age restriction beyond nicotine-containing vapes to cover non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine products.
Proxy purchasing: an adult must not buy, or try to buy, a vaping or nicotine product on behalf of someone under 18.
Promotions: promotional free distribution and substantial promotional discounts for vaping and nicotine products become offences.
Vending machines: premises must not have vending machines from which customers can buy products in scope, subject to the limited exceptions set out in the legislation and guidance.
What products are covered?
The 29 October rules cover vaping products and nicotine products. Welsh Government guidance states that the age-of-sale rule will apply to nicotine and non-nicotine vapes and to other nicotine products, with medicinal products and medical devices treated separately.
What changes on 1 January 2027?
The tobacco age-of-sale system changes from an age threshold to a fixed birth-date rule.
Who can be sold tobacco?
From 1 January 2027, retailers must not sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Buying for someone else
An adult must not buy, or try to buy, tobacco products, herbal smoking products or cigarette papers for someone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Retail signs change too
From 1 January 2027, tobacco retailers in Wales must display the new age-of-sale notice. Welsh Government guidance says the notice must include both English and Welsh wording.
Concerned about illegal or underage sales?
You do not need proof and you should not confront a seller. You can share a shop name, location, online account, product, price, pattern or concern through No Ifs. No Butts.
Reports help build the local picture for enforcement partners. A report does not guarantee a specific enforcement action.