Members of the public, retailers and experts can respond to the government’s call for evidence here by 11:59pm on 3 December 2025.
Retailers, health experts and the public are being urged to respond to a UK government call for evidence on how tobacco, vape and nicotine products are sold and regulated.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the consultation will help gather evidence to shape future policy under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to protect children from nicotine addiction while maintaining vaping’s role in helping adults quit smoking.
The call for evidence covers five key areas:
- The substances and ingredients used to create flavours in vapes and nicotine products
- Nicotine levels that should be permitted in nicotine-containing products
- The size, shape and technology of vapes and vape-like devices
- A proposed licensing scheme for selling tobacco, vaping and nicotine products
- A proposed product registration scheme for all products sold in the UK
The DHSC said the evidence gathered will inform policy development before a formal consultation on detailed proposals takes place.
Licensing plan aims to close loopholes
A central proposal within the call for evidence is a new licensing system for retailers, which ministers say would close a major gap in the law.
Currently, any business can sell tobacco or vapes without a licence – something the government says has allowed rogue traders to sell illicit, child-appealing products on high streets.
Health minister Stephen Kinnock said: “We aim to close a major gap in the law – making it necessary for shops to hold a licence to sell tobacco, vapes and nicotine products.
“Our new proposals will better protect children by rooting out the rogue retailers blighting our high streets and help adults know which shops are selling legitimate products.
“We want expert views on how we can develop the strongest possible regulations to protect our children as part of our Plan for Change, while ensuring adult smokers can still use vapes to quit smoking.”
Under the plans, only responsible businesses would be licensed to sell these products. Those caught breaking the rules could face unlimited fines or on-the-spot penalties of £2,500.
Industry welcomes focus on evidence
Trade bodies and retailers have largely welcomed the government’s evidence-based approach.
The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) said it supported the consultation. Chief executive Gillian Golden said: “Policies designed to regulate vaping must be based on evidence rather than public opinion, which has too often been manufactured by media and political hysteria.
“Vaping remains the UK’s most successful and most popular way for adults who smoke to quit. This public health opportunity must be protected, while tackling the illicit trade and illegal underage sales.”
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said it would engage fully with the process. Chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome the opportunity to respond on behalf of local shops and will continue to outline what we believe is an effective licensing system to increase compliance and stamp out the illicit trade.
“The object should be to clamp down on rogue sellers and the billions lost through illicit sales every year, but this must not come at the expense of legitimate businesses.”
Jamie Strachan, operations director at VPZ, added: “This is a vital step to crack down on rogue traders who have been selling illegal and unsafe products, often targeting children. Licensing will help protect young people while supporting responsible retailers who follow the rules and provide safe, regulated products for adults looking to quit smoking.”
Evidence to inform future rules on flavours and product design
The call for evidence also invites views on flavours, ingredients, nicotine strength and product design – all areas that may be subject to future regulation. The DHSC said it wants to hear from academics, local councils, industry bodies and other experts with relevant knowledge and experience.
The evidence gathered will inform how the government develops the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently before Parliament, which is described as a “landmark” piece of legislation to create a smoke-free generation.
Research to assess long-term impact of vaping
Meanwhile, new research in Birmingham is investigating the long-term effects of vaping among people who have quit smoking.
About 200 ex-smokers are being recruited through NHS and community stop-smoking services at University Hospitals Birmingham. Half will use nicotine replacement therapy, and half will vape, with samples taken over a year to assess lung health.
Chief investigator Dr Aaron Scott said: “Since these cell types play a critical role in the development of smoking-related lung diseases, these changes will provide clear insight into vaping on lung health.”
Professor David Thickett, clinical lead for the study, said the work would provide “critical data” to understand the safety of vaping as a short-term cessation tool and the potential for harm in longer-term use, so people can make “an informed personal choice.”
England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, has said: “If you smoke, vaping is much safer; if you don’t smoke, don’t vape.”
The findings are expected to add to the evidence base on harm reduction as the government develops future regulations under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
