A ban on the sale of nicotine-free vapes and addictive products is now in effect in Havering and across the UK.
Selling vapes containing nicotine to under-18s was already illegal, but the new law means that nicotine-free vapes and other addictive products such as nicotine pouches can no longer be sold to children.
The ban also marks the end of promotional giveaways, substantial discounts and vending machine sales of vaping and nicotine products.
Local authorities have also been given new enforcement powers to crack down on rogue traders, including the issuing of £200 fixed penalty notices.
Cllr Graham Day, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health Care, said:
“As a result of the new law, children will be better protected from respiratory illnesses and will have an opportunity to live healthier lives.
“It also means that businesses and rogue traders will no longer be able to benefit from the sale of these harmful, addictive products to children and young people.”
Havering is also one of the local authorities to benefit from a specialist apprentice on its Trading Standards team to tackle illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales.
The new measures form part of the phased implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which became law on 29 April 2026 and was implemented this month.
They support the government’s ambition for a smoke-free UK and the shift from sickness to prevention set out in the 10-Year Health Plan for England.
The measures will still allow stop smoking services to continue to provide products to help adults smokers to quit.
Councillor Day added:
“The evidence shows that legal vapes can be less harmful than tobacco and can support people who wish to stop smoking, but we don’t yet know the long-term impact of vaping, so it should therefore not be used by people who have never smoked or for recreational purposes.”