Public consultation under the Tobacco and Vapes Act seeks views on plain packs, flavour name limits and keeping vapes out of sight to curb youth appeal, with under-18 sales ban starting 29 October 2026.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt is calling on people in Northern Ireland to respond to a UK-wide consultation on tougher controls for vapes and other nicotine products, covering packaging, displays, product appearance and flavour descriptions.

The exercise is part of implementing the Tobacco and Vapes Act (TAVA), which became law on 29 April 2026. Framed as a major public health step to tackle rising youth vaping, the Act will prohibit sales of all vapes, including non-nicotine products, and other nicotine items to under-18s from 29 October 2026.

TAVA also introduces powers to regulate flavours, packaging and shop displays to reduce the appeal of these products to children and young people. The consultation specifically invites views on plain packaging, stricter rules on flavour names and ensuring vapes are kept out of sight in retail settings.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "The Tobacco and Vapes Act is a landmark piece of UK-wide legislation, which will undoubtedly save lives and prevent further harm from diseases, such as cancer.

"In NI, 15% of all 11-18-year-olds vape, with 65% of those saying they vape daily. Evidence shows that a major factor in the growth of youth vaping is the way the products are displayed in shops, sometimes even alongside confectionery.

"Restricting the visibility of these products will lessen their appeal to children and young people, which in turn will reduce youth vaping and prevent future generations from nicotine addiction.

"Following public consultation, I intend to make regulations for Northern Ireland to restrict the display of vaping and nicotine products, which may include storing products out of sight, such as behind the counter or in closed cabinets.

"It is vital that we get the views from the public on the future of displaying and packaging of these products. I would encourage everyone to take the time to respond to this consultation." Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride also urged people in NI to take part in the consultation. He added: "The display of nicotine products undoubtedly encourages young people to purchase these types of products. Nicotine addiction can have lifelong consequences on children, including brain development issues, leading to learning and mental health disorders.

"Vapes can be a useful tool to help adult smokers quit, but they are not risk free and should never be used by children. We must protect future generations from serious harm. The Tobacco and Vapes Act will go a long way in addressing these issues, and we really want to hear from the public in NI. Please take part in the consultation and share your views; this will help shape future health policy."

The proposals for vapes and nicotine products include plain white packaging with tight restrictions on colours, imagery and branding alongside standardised safety information; limiting flavour names to simple, recognisable descriptions (such as "Apple") while banning concept or sensory terms and names linked to sweets, desserts or alcohol; requiring devices to be only white, black or grey with no images or cosmetic lights and screens showing safety information only; and applying tobacco-style rules to shop displays.

In Northern Ireland, Part 3 of TAVA gives the Department of Health powers to regulate how tobacco, vaping and related products are displayed, subject to statutory consultation. Depending on the consultation's outcome, the Secretary of State for Health will use powers in Part 5 to set rules on packaging and devices.

Further tobacco measures proposed include extending existing plain packaging and health warnings to all tobacco products, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers and heated tobacco devices; introducing quit-support inserts inside tobacco packs; widening display restrictions to all tobacco-related items and removing current exemptions for bulk tobacconists, including duty-free shops and airports; and mandating a drab brown colour for heated tobacco devices with limited branding and safety-only screens.

From 29 October 2026, the Tobacco Retail Register will be expanded to cover businesses selling vapes and other nicotine products. From the same date, selling tobacco, vapes or nicotine products without registration will be a criminal offence, with potential Restricted Premises or Restricted Sale Orders for persistent breaches.

The 15% youth vaping figure cited is drawn from Public Health Agency research into youth vaping in Northern Ireland. Responses to the consultation will inform future health policy and the detailed regulations to follow.