Government launch call for evidence on tobacco and vapes licensing

Today, 8 October 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care have launched a call for evidence seeking further information to support the policy development on tobacco, vapes and nicotine products.

The call relates to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill (‘the Bill’) which is currently making its way through Parliament. The Bill supports the government’s ambition to create a smoke-free UK, and protect future generations from the harms of nicotine.

Evidence is requested in relation to the following areas:-

1. Proposal to introduce a new licensing scheme for selling tobacco, vaping and nicotine products
2. Proposal to introduce a new product registration scheme in the UK
3. Substances and ingredients used to create flavours in vapes and nicotine products
4. Levels of nicotine that should be permitted in nicotine-containing products
5. Size and shape of vapes, vape-like devices and tanks, and the role of technology in these devices

The call for evidence is open for 8 weeks and closes at midnight on 3 December 2025. Feedback provided will inform the consultation on the proposed design of the licensing scheme.

The government propose the following objectives for the licensing scheme:-

1. Protect public health – to ensure that retailers and their practices are not posing any undue or excessive risk to the health of the public, particularly children
2. Prevent crime – to ensure that retailers do not pose any undue crime risk and that only law-abiding retailers can sell these products to the public

The Bill requires two licences to be obtained by anybody who wants to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping products and nicotine products. Licensees will need a personal licence and a premises licence. The Bill also makes provision for mandatory conditions, and conditions imposed by Licensing Authorities.

As previously indicated, it will be for Licensing Authorities to administer the scheme, including the grant of personal and premises licences.

Once evidence has been submitted, the government will prepare an impact assessment considering the impact of the scheme.

Respondents are invited to comment on the licensing scheme objectives, decision making, licensing conditions, fees, duration and renewal, and online sales licensing.

Views and evidence have been called from individuals and organisations including:-

• academics
• industry bodies
• local councils
• other experts and stakeholders with relevant knowledge and experience

Individuals and organisations can respond here.

For further information, please feel free to contact licensing solicitor, Elizabeth Varley on e.varley@popall.co.uk or any of our licensing solicitors on 0115 953 8500.