A new UK excise duty on vaping products starts today, 1 October 2026. Here is what the £2.20 per 10ml duty, new vape duty stamps and higher tobacco duty mean in Wales.
SAFETY / COMPLIANCE ALERT
UK Trading Standards testing found nicotine in some vapes sold as nicotine-free. A 0% or nicotine-free label should not be treated as proof of contents.
PRODUCT WATCH
Official explanatory notes identify gels, creams, cheek absorption and nasal inhalers as plausible future consumer nicotine delivery routes. This is a foresight signal, not evidence that these products are established in Wales.
PRODUCT WATCH
Nicotine-free caffeine pouches are being sold in the UK in the same under-the-lip format as nicotine pouches, including products containing high doses of caffeine.
SAFETY ALERT
Cannabinoid vapes may be labelled with names such as HHC, HHC-P, THC-P or THC-O, but UK testing shows that labels and claimed contents cannot be relied on.
MARKET SIGNAL
Consumer nicotine chewing gum that is not licensed as stop-smoking medicine is now part of the UK nicotine market. It should not be confused with medicinal nicotine replacement therapy.
Free, practical material from ASH Wales. Find details, guidance and downloads below.
An interactive toolkit for KS2 and KS3 settings exploring nicotine, dependence and the ways products such as vapes and nicotine pouches can influence choices. The presentation and activities support discussion and critical thinking without asking pupils to share personal experiences.
Educators, youth workers and school nurses delivering PSHE or health education sessions.
Visit our Information hub for practical guidance on smoking, vaping, nicotine and the law.
Nicofiends helps young people spot pressure, marketing and nicotine tricks through games and activities.