Global Vape Market Watch: Tightening Rules, Stronger Enforcement, and the Road to Compliance in 2026

On February 2, UK specialist retailer VPZ announced a multi-million-pound investment to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chain control in preparation for the UK vape tax 2026, scheduled for October.

The plan includes:

• A fifth production line at its UK facility;
• 40 new stores to open during 2026;
• Hundreds of new jobs in retail, logistics, warehousing, marketing, and administration;
• A bonded warehouse in Edinburgh to improve product traceability and regulatory oversight.

VPZ stated that the bonded facility will help authorities differentiate compliant retailers from sellers of illegal vapes, which have surged in recent years. UK Trading Standards and HMRC have reported record seizures of illicit products, making compliance infrastructure increasingly critical for legitimate businesses.

Ireland's new tobacco and nicotine retail licensing regime officially took effect on February 2.

Under the rules:

• Retailers pay €1,000 per year for tobacco sales;
• €800 per year for nicotine inhalation products, including e-cigarettes.

Responsible Vaping Ireland (RVI), representing over 3,500 retailers, supports the system but warns it will only be effective with "serious enforcement" against illegal sellers—especially mobile phone shops linked to underage access and counterfeit products.

British American Tobacco (BAT) has again called for nicotine pouches to be explicitly covered under the framework, arguing that consistent regulation is essential within broader vape regulation Europe efforts.

Starting March 1, 2026, Russia will allow authorities to block websites selling tobacco and nicotine products without court approval. Officials say this will close loopholes used by sellers of illegal vapes who previously avoided enforcement by changing domains.

The reform also increases platform responsibility for monitoring content and strengthens age-verification and digital identity systems—marking a shift from reactive to preventive regulation.

The new Dutch coalition government has proposed raising the legal purchase age for tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21, and criminalizing possession of illegal vapes.

The move responds to rising youth vaping rates and the misconception that flavored e-cigarettes are low-risk. Experts argue that ages 18–21 are a critical window for nicotine addiction, making stricter rules necessary for public health.

This reform aligns with the Netherlands' long-term goal of achieving a smoke-free generation by 2040.

Since January 1, 2026, private individuals in Norway can no longer order nicotine products from abroad via online, phone, or mail purchases.

The ban covers cigarettes, snus, nicotine vapes, e-liquids, heated tobacco, and related packaging. Illegal imports may be seized and destroyed without compensation, reflecting a broader trend in vape regulation Europe toward tighter border control.

From February 1, 2026, all tobacco retailers and wholesalers in Victoria must hold a license.

More than 3,300 applications have already been submitted. Penalties for illegal sales are severe—up to AUD 1.8 million for companies and potential prison sentences for serious offenses. The government has allocated AUD 46 million to enforcement, though critics say inspection capacity remains limited given that illegal tobacco is estimated to represent 55% of the market.