From 1 October 2026, a new UK Vaping Products Duty begins and duty stamps start appearing on retail vape packaging. Here’s what the change means in Wales — and what it does not tell you about a product.
QUIT AID FOR ADULT SMOKERS
Can vaping help me quit smoking?
For adults who smoke, vaping can be one way to stop smoking. It gives you nicotine without burning tobacco and is significantly less harmful than continuing to smoke.
If you smoke
Switching completely from smoking to vaping can reduce your exposure to the toxic chemicals produced by burning tobacco.
For the health benefit, the important bit is stopping cigarettes completely, rather than simply adding vaping on top of smoking.
If you do not smoke
Do not start vaping for health reasons or because you think it is harmless. Vaping is not risk-free and is intended here as a quitting option for adults who smoke.
Children and young people should not vape.
If you want to use a vape to quit
These four things matter more than finding the “perfect” device.
1
Use enough nicotine
If the vape is too weak, cigarettes can still feel much more satisfying. A vape shop, pharmacist or stop-smoking advisor can help you choose a suitable strength.
2
Make cigarettes the thing you stop
Set a clear goal to stop smoking completely. Keeping a vape for cravings is different from carrying on smoking as normal and vaping as well.
3
Expect some trial and error
Device, flavour and nicotine strength can affect whether vaping feels workable. You may need to adjust rather than deciding after one bad try that vaping cannot help.
4
Get support as well
You can still use Help Me Quit if vaping is part of your stop-smoking plan. Support with triggers and routines matters alongside the product you use.
What about stopping vaping later?
If vaping is keeping you from smoking, do not rush to stop it if that would put you at risk of going back to cigarettes.
Once you feel secure without smoking, you can think about reducing nicotine or stopping vaping if you want to. The priority is staying smokefree.
Rather use something licensed as a medicine?
NRT and prescription stop-smoking medicines are other evidence-based options. You can use the Quit Smoking hub to compare them.
You can get advice without deciding today
Help Me Quit can talk through vaping, NRT and stop-smoking medicines with you and help you build a plan around what feels realistic.