The Government launches a UK vape licensing push aimed at rogue retailers with responsible shops finally getting a level playing field and rogue retailers facing closure.
So here’s some good news: the Government has finally moved on a national retail licensing scheme for tobacco, vapes and other nicotine products. Aimed squarely at shutting out under-age sales and cleaning up the market. About time. GOV.UK
At Riot, we’ve said this for years: license vape sales properly and kick the cowboys out. If you want to sell nicotine products in the UK, you meet strict standards, you pass checks, and if you sell to kids, you lose the right to sell, full stop. The Government’s proposal is a step in the right direction. Done right, it protects children, backs responsible vape shops, and rebuilds trust in a category meant to help adult smokers move away from cigarettes.
What’s happening (and why it matters)
For years, we’ve said the same thing: if you sell nicotine, you play by the rules. That means age checks, compliant sourcing, safe storage, trained staff, and zero tolerance for sales to kids. Licensing brings that into focus. Done right, it protects children, rewards good retailers, and rebuilds trust in a category designed to help adult smokers quit. It’s also how you stop the rogue retailers pushing illegal stock and selling to under-18s.
The Government now has the legal “on switch” to introduce licences for retailers of tobacco products, vaping products and related goods online and in-store. Expect clear conditions tied to a visible licence, plus enforcement that actually bites. Importantly, the framework lines up with the clampdown on illegal or non-compliant disposable vapes, so Trading Standards can remove bad stock and penalise bad actors under one system.
Riot’s stance (on the record)
From trade roundtables to retailer toolkits, we’ve repeatedly backed UK vape licensing and firmer Trading Standards enforcement. Licensing is how you separate compliant vape retailers from the rogue retailers flogging illegal stock and selling vapes to children. No excuses, no loopholes, just a level playing field for the good guys and a locked door for the rogues.
We want a straightforward scheme that separates responsible retailers from rogues. If you want to sell vapes or nicotine products in the UK, you should meet strict standards and pass checks. If you sell to kids, you should lose the right to sell, full stop. That’s how you protect public health, support good shops, and give adult smokers confidence to switch to vapes without the noise.
The Government has opened a call for evidence on how retail licensing should work. If you’re a vape retailer, manufacturer, health professional, parent, or just someone who wants a safer high street, now is the moment. Share your frontline experience, what works, what doesn’t, and how to make enforcement consistent across the UK. GOV.UK
Fines that bite, or don’t bother
Here’s where policy becomes reality. The current framework references on-the-spot penalties up to £2,500 for illegal sales, with scope for unlimited fines via the courts. Sounds tough; too often it isn’t. Some rogue traders treat low penalties as a cost of doing business. That’s why we’re calling for clear, escalated penalties that actually deter:
Our recommendations to policymakers:
- Bring in licensing, fast.
- Set fines up to £10,000 and revoke licences for repeat or deliberate under-age sales.
- Ring-fence 100% of fines to fund Trading Standards and retailer education.
Ring-fence every penny for enforcement
Enforcement isn’t a press release; it’s people, intel, and time on the ground. When Trading Standards pulls illegal vapes, runs test purchases, or takes cases to court, that costs money. Too many times, fines disappear into general budgets while enforcement teams are stretched thin.
Our position is simple: 100% of revenue from fines should be ring-fenced straight back into enforcement, funding more officers, more inspections, better data-sharing, faster prosecutions, and retailer education. Make the proceeds of bad actors pay to protect the public and support responsible businesses. Policing pays for policing. GOV.UK
What “good” looks like (our blueprint)
1) A licence with teeth
A wall certificate is just paper unless the conditions mean something. We want robust age-verification (think Challenge 25), documented staff training, compliant supply chains, secure storage, and full co-operation with inspections. Break the rules? Lose the licence, permanently for the worst cases.
2) Penalties that deter
Some operators treat small fines as a business expense. That has to end. We support clear, escalating penalties for illegal sales and licence removal for repeat or deliberate under-age sales. The signal is simple: if you put kids at risk, you’re out.
3) Ring-fence the money
Enforcement is not a press release, it’s officers, test purchases, paperwork and prosecutions. Every penny from fines should be ring-fenced to Trading Standards so they can do the job properly, consistently and quickly.
4) Back the good actors
Make compliance visible with a public licence register. Give retailers rapid guidance and a single UK-wide rulebook (so requirements don’t change street to street). That lets compliant shops focus on service: matching adults to the right nicotine strengths, explaining nicotine salts for a smoother throat hit, and steering people toward legal, properly tested products.
For adult smokers: how licensing helps your quit journey
A clean, licensed market makes it easier to buy legal, quality kit, like refillable vape kits, and properly labelled e-liquids. Picking the right nicotine strengths is where most quit attempts stand or fall. Some people want the satisfying throat hit of freebase; others prefer nicotine salts for a smoother feel, especially at higher strengths. Either way, a trained retailer can help you dial it in.
- Explore refillable & pod kits → vape kits.
- Browse flavours and strengths → vape juice.
- Prefer smoother? Try nicotine salts, and lighter options like 5mg nic salts for a softer landing.
- Need support as you switch to vapes? See stop smoking services for local, trusted help.
- Thinking about disposable vapes? Make sure any disposable you buy is compliant, or step up to refillable vape kits or pre-filled pods for less waste and more control over nicotine strengths.
For retailers: practical pointers (start now)
- Audit age checks
Standardise Challenge 25 in-store and at delivery. Put signs where they’re seen, and keep a refusals & incidents log. Train everyone, new starters and refreshers.
- Tighten your paperwork
Keep product notifications, labels, batch codes and supplier compliance letters on file. Make a “Licence File” (binder or digital) with staff training records, refusals logs, incident reports and waste/recycling contracts.
- Prep for licence conditions
Nominate a compliance lead per site (and one for e-commerce). Define a 24-hour response for Trading Standards enquiries: who gathers documents, who replies, and how you hold stock if requested.
- Merchandising & stock
Prioritise refillables and compliant pre-filled pods. Only carry disposable vapes that meet the rules. Keep vape kits and vape juice displays within guidance and out of kid-appeal zones.
- Online checks
Use third-party age-verification at checkout, require ID on delivery for restricted orders, and present nicotine warnings, ingredients and nicotine strengths clearly on product pages.
- Customer help, not hype
Train staff to talk strengths, nicotine salts, and throat hit in plain English, no medical claims. Know when to signpost to stop smoking services or NHS resources.
- Internal audits (monthly)
Randomly check five products for full documentation, secret-shop your own checkout for age checks, and review the refusals log for weak spots.
Why this isn’t “anti-vape”
Licensing is pro-standards. Vaping is a proven off-ramp for adult smokers when products are legal, labelled and used properly. Rogue sellers do the damage: they sell to kids, import dodgy stock, and drag the entire category down. A strong licensing scheme lifts the floor for everyone, so adults can access quality vaping products from trusted stores and switch to vapes with confidence.
“If you sell to kids, you’re not a retailer, you’re a liability. License the market, set fines that hurt, and fund Trading Standards. Do that, and we clean up the category and protect the quit journey for adult smokers.” — Riot spokesperson
Quick FAQ
Will online vape shops need a licence too?
Very likely. The powers cover retailers of vape kits, vape juice and other nicotine products online and in-store. Expect the same age-verification standards for both.
How will age-verification work?
Think Challenge 25 as standard: trained staff, signage, a refusals log, and robust online age checks at checkout plus ID on delivery.
Will nicotine strengths be policed?
Yes. Licensed retailers should stock compliant strengths with correct labels and documentation. Keep supplier evidence ready to show an officer.
What about disposable vapes?
Policy is tightening on disposable vapes. Enforcement will focus on illegal or non-compliant stock, with a push towards refillables and pre-filled pods.
Is this anti-vape?
No, it's pro-standards. It protects kids, supports responsible shops, and helps adults switch to vapes with better vaping products, nicotine salts options and a safer throat hit, ideally alongside stop smoking services.
Helpful links (on rioteliquid.com)
- Vape kits → refillable & pod systems for a cleaner vaping experience.
- Vape juice → e-liquids across flavours and nicotine strengths.
- Nicotine salts → smoother throat hit; also see 5mg nic salts for lighter options.
- Pre-filled pods → convenience without the waste of single-use.
- Disposables → guidance and compliant options (where legal).
- Prefer a simple start? Check out Connex Kit and Connex Pods.
Sources
- GOV.UK news: Government call for evidence on licensing retailers of tobacco, vapes and nicotine products (8 Oct 2025). GOV.UK
- GOV.UK: Tobacco and vapes—evidence to support legislation (call for evidence hub). GOV.UK
- House of Commons Library briefing: offence of selling nicotine vapes to children carries a £2,500 fine (context for existing penalties). House of Commons Library
- Business Companion (Primary Authority guidance): mentions on-the-spot penalties of £2,500 and potential for unlimited fines in the wider framework. Business Companion
- GOV.UK: Single-use vapes ban background (enforcement context). GOV.UK
