Tobacco and nicotine age limits by country
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
Minimum ages for buying tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, and national smoking bans in public places. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Minimum age to buy tobacco | Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes | Nicotine pouches | Smoking ban in indoor public places | Smoking ban on public transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes |
| Netherlands | 18 | 18 | Sale banned | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Tobacco and nicotine products, England & Wales: 18 | Tobacco and nicotine products, England & Wales: 18 | Tobacco and nicotine products, England & Wales: ⚠ Not yet verified | Tobacco and nicotine products, England: Yes | Tobacco and nicotine products, England & Wales: ⚠ Not yet verified |
| France | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes | Yes |
| Spain | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes | Yes |
| Italy | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| United States | 21 | 21 | Age-limited (21) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Tobacco and nicotine products, Flights: Yes (flights) |
| Canada | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ireland | 18 (21 from 1 Feb 2028) | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes (enclosed workplaces) | Yes |
| Australia | ⚠ Not yet verified | 18 (pharmacy only; under 18 needs prescription) | Sale banned from 24 July 2026 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Poland | 18 | 18 | Sold from 18 | Yes | Yes |
| Portugal | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes | Yes |
| Belgium | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Banned in enclosed public spaces | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Sweden | 18 | 18 | Sold, from 18 | Yes (restaurants, public premises) | Yes, domestic public transport |
| Austria | 18 | 18 | Sale to under-18s banned | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes |
| Switzerland | 18 | 18 | Sale only from 18 | Yes (smoking rooms allowed) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Denmark | 18 | 18 | Sale to under-18s banned | Yes (smoking rooms allowed) | Yes |
| Czechia | 18 | 18 | Age-limited (18) | Yes (separate smoking rooms allowed) | Yes |
| Hungary | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Public institutions, workplaces | Yes |
| Finland | 18 | 18 | Sold, from 18; menthol/mint flavours only | Yes, indoor public premises | Yes, vehicles used by the public |
| Norway | 18 | 18 (nicotine e-cigarettes not sold) | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes (public premises, workplaces, restaurants) | Yes, transport open to the public |
| New Zealand | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes (workplaces, bars, restaurants; open areas excepted) | Yes (buses, taxis, internal flights) |
| Croatia | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes, indoor public places | Yes |
| Romania | 18 | 18 | Age-limited, 18 | Yes | Yes |
Before you rely on it
This comparison covers national rules, and for the United States and Canada also state or provincial rules. Other regional or local rules can apply on top of them, and rules change. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details before you act.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.