This guidance provides information about the fixed penalty notices (FPNs) that apply to a range of offences related to:
- tobacco products
- herbal smoking products
- cigarette papers
An FPN is a financial penalty. It gives the person the opportunity to avoid prosecution for an offence, if they pay the fine within a specified time period. FPNs already exist for a range of offences, from littering to parking.
From 29 October 2026, enforcement authorities across the UK will be able to issue FPNs for a range of offences relating to tobacco products, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers and vaping and nicotine products.
Enforcement authorities in Scotland will also be able to issue FPNs for offences relating to other smoking-related products.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, enforcement authorities are already able to issue FPNs for a range of offences relating to some of these products. These existing FPN regimes are being extended to cover new and expanded offences.
This guidance is mainly for retailers, who will need to understand the changes in the law. It may also be useful for:
- wholesalers
- business owners
- enforcement authorities
This guidance should be read along with the guidance on other measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which provide further details on the offences for which FPNs will apply. These are:
This guidance applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The offences for which FPNs can be issued and the FPN amounts may differ across jurisdictions.
The products in scope of the FPNs are:
- tobacco products
- herbal smoking products
- cigarette papers
In Scotland, smoking-related products are also in scope (see below).
- cigarettes
- hand rolling tobacco
- cigars
- cigarillos
- pipe tobacco
- waterpipe tobacco, such as shisha
- nasal tobacco, commonly known as snuff
- chewing tobacco
- heated tobacco
- tobacco blunts
- herbal blunts
- herbal cigarettes
- herbal shisha
- related components, such as coils and vape pods
- nicotine pouches (tobacco-free pouches containing nicotine powder that are placed between the gum and lip)
Offences outlined in this guidance do not apply to:
For smoking-related products (Scotland only) this includes:
- cigarette papers
- cigarette tubes
- filters that do not form part of a tobacco product or herbal smoking product
- apparatus for making cigarettes, such as cigarette rolling machines
- cigarette holders
- pipes for smoking tobacco products (which would include waterpipes like shishas)
Offences for which an FPN can be issued: England and Wales
In England and Wales, trading standards will be able to issue FPNs for a range of offences from 29 October 2026. This will replace the existing FPN regime for proxy purchasing offences. Proxy purchasing is when someone aged 18 years or over buys, or attempts to buy, any product for a person under the age of sale.
Fixed penalty notices from 29 October 2026
In England and Wales, from 29 October 2026, a person may be issued with an FPN if they:
Excerpt from the official page. The original is authoritative. Continue reading at UK DHSC ↗