Vapes (e-cigarettes) are small devices that let the user inhale a vapour instead of the smoke from burning tobacco. New rules on selling vapes have now come into force in the United Kingdom, and vending machines that sell them are now illegal.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care says the new rules are part of the step-by-step rollout of the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which belongs to the department's ten-year plan for England to focus on prevention rather than cure. The law covers the following:
First, no sales to under-18s. It is now illegal to sell any vape or non-medicinal nicotine product to anyone under 18, in shops or online. This includes vaping devices and their parts, such as cartridges, as well as nicotine pouches and products made with synthetic nicotine. Licensed medicinal products fall under separate medicines law. Selling nicotine vapes to minors was already banned; what is new is that England, Wales and Northern Ireland have extended the rule to nicotine-free vapes.
Second, buying for a child. Anyone aged 18 or over commits an offence if they buy a vape or nicotine product for someone under 18.
Third, free gifts and discounts. Free promotional gifts and big discounts on vapes, nicotine products, tobacco, herbal smoking products and rolling papers are now banned. This includes handing out or selling discount vouchers, in shops and online.
Fourth, vending machines. Selling tobacco, herbal smoking products, rolling papers, vapes and nicotine products from vending machines is now banned across the whole UK. The ban also covers machines that hand over the product as part of a sale, even if the customer paid somewhere else.
Fifth, penalties. Enforcement officers can now issue fines for a range of offences involving these products. In England and Wales the fine is £200 for certain offences.
The department stresses that the rules do not stop adults from using vapes to quit smoking. Vaping can help adult smokers quit, but it is not risk-free.
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