Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking through penalties to help tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.

Tobacco and vape products sold in the United Kingdom must meet product, packaging, and notification requirements. The maximum penalty that could be imposed for failing to comply with requirements is two years imprisonment or an unlimited fine, or both.

On 1 June 2025, it became illegal to sell or supply single use vapes in the United Kingdom. In England, those selling single use vapes face £200 fixed monetary penalties and stop notices ordering them to cease the illegal activity. If a notice is not complied with, an individual is guilty of an offence and is liable for an unlimited fine or imprisonment.

HM Revenue and Customs operate a UK Track and Trace System to combat illicit tobacco sales. Penalties for failing to meet the requirements of the Tobacco Track and Trace System include fines of up to £10,000 and seizure of illicit tobacco products. For persistent non-compliance, HM Revenue and Customs can deactivate a business’ economic operator ID which would mean the business can no longer buy or sell tobacco legally in the UK.

A new Vaping Products Duty will be introduced from 1 October 2026, alongside a Vaping Duty Stamps scheme. HM Revenue and Customs will adopt similar compliance and enforcement powers to those that are already in place to administer other taxes and duties, including penalties for those who do not meet their obligations.