Businesses in York are being urged to get ready for new tobacco and vaping laws that come into force on 29 October 2026.
Trading Standards officers at City of York Council are working with Humber and North Yorkshire's Centre for Excellence to help businesses understand the changes and what they need to do.
The new laws aim to stop children and young people getting access to vaping and nicotine products.
From 29 October 2026, it will be illegal to sell any vaping or nicotine product to anyone under 18.
It will also be against the law for an adult to buy, or try to buy, these products for someone under 18. This is known as proxy purchasing.
The new age rules cover:
- Nicotine vapes
- Non-nicotine vapes
- Nicotine pouches
- Other nicotine products
Medicines and medical devices, such as nicotine replacement therapies, are not included.
Trading Standards officers are asking businesses to check their age-verification processes, make sure staff understand the new rules and take steps to prevent underage sales.
Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, said:
"These changes are an important step in helping to protect children and young people from the risks linked to vaping and nicotine products.
"York has a strong and varied retail sector, and businesses have an important role to play in making these changes work.
"We are encouraging retailers to act now by checking which products are covered by the new law, refreshing staff training and making sure effective age checks are in place.
"Good preparation will help protect young people and support businesses to meet their legal responsibilities. Trading Standards will continue to support responsible retailers, but businesses that break the rules could face enforcement action."
The new laws also ban vending machines that sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping products or nicotine products.
Anyone responsible for a premises will be breaking the law if they have a vending machine that sells these products, even if customers pay somewhere else.
There will also be new rules that stop businesses from giving these products away as free samples or offering large promotional discounts.
Businesses that do not follow the new rules could receive a £200 fixed penalty notice.
Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health at City of York Council, said:
"We have seen rising numbers of children and young people using vaping and nicotine products both here in York and nationally, products which have been relentlessly marketed at younger people and are not safe for people’s health. These new laws are an important step in helping prevent children and young people live a life free from addiction to nicotine products and support wider efforts to create a smoke-free generation.
"While the legislation focuses on preventing underage access, it is equally important that people who currently smoke know that support is available. Stopping smoking remains one of the best things people can do for their health, and in York we offer free, personalised support through our Health Trainers service.
"Whether someone is taking their first step towards quitting or has tried before, we would encourage them to seek support. The evidence shows that people are far more likely to quit successfully with help than by going it alone."
The new laws are part of wider work to create a smoke-free generation while helping people who already smoke to quit.
As York marks Stoptober, residents are being encouraged to get free support from the council's Health Trainers service.
Research shows that people who get support are up to three times more likely to stop smoking successfully than people who try to quit on their own.
Health Trainers offer:
- Up to 12 weeks of one-to-one support
- Access to the Smoke Free app
- Support through the Swap 2 Stop programme
As part of Swap 2 Stop, residents can access regulated vaping products to help them quit smoking.
People can also get six months' free access to all features of the Smoke Free app. The app can help people manage cravings, track improvements in their health and see how much money they have saved.
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said:
"These new laws will help protect children and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine. At the same time, it is important that adults who smoke know where to go for help.
"Stopping smoking is one of the best things people can do for their health, and our Health Trainers offer free support that is tailored to each person.
"Whether you are taking part in Stoptober or simply thinking about quitting, I would encourage you to get in touch and find out what support is available. You do not have to do it alone."
Residents can get free help and support through the Health Trainer and stop smoking service.