United Kingdom
Last reviewed: 2026-06
Travelling to United Kingdom with snus or nicotine pouches? Snus is restricted and nicotine pouches are legal. Cigarettes are legal for adults aged 18+. This page covers the legal status of snus, nicotine pouches, cigarettes, vaping, and heated tobacco in United Kingdom as of 2026-06, with official sources where available.
Snus
RestrictedMinimum age: 18+
Legal basis: Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/507)
Commercial sale and supply of snus is banned (the EU oral-tobacco ban was retained post-Brexit). Personal possession is not a criminal offence and adults may bring snus in for personal use. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 adds an offence of possession with intent to supply.
Nicotine Pouches
LegalMinimum age: 18+
Legal basis: Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (18+ age of sale from 29 October 2026)
Nicotine pouches are legal consumer products in the UK. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 introduces a minimum age of sale of 18 for consumer nicotine products (effective 29 October 2026); previously there was no statutory age limit. Widely available (VELO, White Fox, etc.).
Cigarettes
LegalMinimum age: 18+
Legal basis: Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016; Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 (generational sales ban)
Cigarettes are legal for adults aged 18+. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 introduces a generational ban: from 1 January 2027 it will be illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Vape / E-cigarettes
RestrictedMinimum age: 18+
Legal basis: Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016; Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) Regulations 2024
Refillable/rechargeable nicotine vapes are legal (max 20 mg/ml, 2 ml tanks, 10 ml refills) for adults 18+. Single-use disposable vapes have been banned from sale since 1 June 2025 on environmental grounds.
Heated Tobacco (IQOS)
LegalMinimum age: 18+
Legal basis: Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016; Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026
Heated tobacco products (e.g. IQOS) are legal for adults and regulated as tobacco products. They are covered by the Act's generational sales ban (those born on/after 1 Jan 2009 cannot be sold tobacco from 2027).
Personal Import
Tolerated for personal use; no published official weight limit.
Sources
- LAW
- GOVGOV.UK — Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes lawAccessed 2026-06
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations regarding snus, nicotine pouches, cigarettes, vaping and heated tobacco change frequently. Always verify the current legal status with official government sources before travelling. NicotineAtlas assumes no liability for actions taken based on information presented here.