The Newshound

Adults now face £200 on-the-spot fines for buying vapes or nicotine pouches for under-18s under a new UK law

A tin of Nordic Spirit Frosty Berry nicotine pouches, a product that adults in Scotland can now be prosecuted for buying on behalf of anyone under 18.
A tin of Nordic Spirit Frosty Berry nicotine pouches, a product that adults in Scotland can now be prosecuted for buying on behalf of anyone under 18.

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 took effect on 29 October, closing a legal loophole that had left nicotine pouches entirely unregulated by age-restriction rules — until now, children in the UK could purchase them without breaking any law.

The £200 penalty covers even an attempted proxy purchase, not just a completed transaction.

Scotland has taken a tougher line than the rest of the UK, requiring all tobacco and vape retailers to register with authorities by April 2027.

Action on Smoking and Health chief executive Hazel Cheeseman said nicotine products had been handed out 'indiscriminately' to children at music festivals, shopping centres and railway stations.

MoreThe SunWarning over £200 on-the-spot fine as vape & nicotine pouch ban comes into forceScottish Grocer & Convenience RetailerNew rules on nicotine come into force - Scottish Grocer & Convenience RetailerThe National ScotMajor new restrictions on nicotine products come into force in Scotland - The National ScotDaily MailNew vape law in force from TODAY: Britons could be fined up to £200 for buying an e-cigarette for a friend - everything you need to know about 'proxy purchasing' rules
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