New proposed tobacco regulations in uk

UK Tobacco Packaging Changes: Plain Packs for Cigars, Papers and More

The government started a consultation on 10 July 2026 that could reshape how many tobacco products look and are sold across the UK. It goes further than the plain packs already used for cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco. The proposals would apply the same style of packaging to cigars, pipe tobacco, heated tobacco devices, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers and most other tobacco products. They also want positive quit messages added inside packs and stricter rules on shop displays.

Here’s what is actually being looked at.

The plans come from the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which became law at the end of April. Officials say the aim is to make these products less attractive, especially to younger people, while giving adult smokers better information and support to quit. The consultation is UK wide and runs until 11:59pm on 2 October 2026.

Cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco have used standardised packaging since 2016 and 2017. That means drab dark brown packs, very limited branding, no logos or shiny finishes, and large health warnings. Most other tobacco products have not had to follow those same rules so far.

Under the new proposals, standardized packaging would be extended to cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco, waterpipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers and heated tobacco devices. Packs would generally need the same drab brown colour, matt finish and restricted branding that cigarettes already use.

Most packs would also have to include positive quit themed inserts. These would explain the benefits of stopping and direct people to support services. This would cover cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco, herbal products and heated tobacco devices. Cigarette papers would usually be left out because they are so small.

Heated tobacco devices would themselves have to be drab brown, with limited branding, no cosmetic lights, and any screen restricted to basic safety information such as battery level.

On the retail side, the existing rules that keep tobacco out of sight would be extended to more products. The exemption that currently lets bulk tobacconists, duty free shops and airports display tobacco would be removed.

The government points to evidence that plain packaging has already reduced the appeal of cigarettes. They argue that remaining colourful or distinctive packaging on other products still acts as a form of marketing. Adding quit inserts and keeping more products hidden is meant to discourage people from starting and help those who want to stop.

This is only a consultation at this stage. Nothing becomes law until the government and the devolved administrations review the responses and decide on the final details. If the measures go ahead, businesses would normally get a lead in period of around 12 months to update packaging and sell through existing stock.

Anyone can respond on the GOV.UK consultation page before it closes on 2 October 2026. Impact assessments on the practical effects and costs have been published with the proposals.

If these changes go through, most of the remaining non standardised tobacco packaging would disappear from shops. Alongside the generational sales ban and other measures already planned, the overall rules on tobacco would become tighter.

Whether you back the direction of these proposals or worry about the impact on specialist products and smaller retailers, the consultation is open now if you want to share your views.