Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that the Labour government will introduce new planning rules for vape shops, making it harder for them to open near schools and giving councils greater control over their location. The move is part of a broader crackdown on high street premises that have replaced community spaces.
New Planning Category for Vape Shops
Currently, vape shops can open without needing a specific planning application. Under the new proposals, they will be placed into their own planning category, allowing councils to assess each application individually and reject those deemed inappropriate for the area. The government will also tighten the definition of a vape shop to prevent operators from disguising them as convenience stores whose primary function is selling vapes.
Mr Burnham said: “The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services and community spaces that people are crying out for. That’s not on. I said we would improve Britain’s high streets, and that’s exactly what we are starting to do.”
Consultation and Implementation
The government will launch a consultation on the new planning category, which will also include provisions to prevent vape shops from opening near schools. This follows concerns about the impact of vape shops on young people and the character of local high streets.
The announcement builds on previous calls for reform. Last year, the Social Market Foundation (SMF) urged the government to scrap the ‘Aim to Permit’ rule, which currently allows certain premises, including Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs), to open without full planning permission. The SMF argued that this rule gives communities little say over what opens on their high streets.
Social Market Foundation Report
In its October 2025 report, High Streets at Stake, the SMF highlighted that AGCs are increasingly concentrated in the most deprived areas of the country. The report also found that 44% of young people aged 14-17 agreed that the presence of gambling venues near where they live makes people their age more interested in gambling.
Jamie Gollings, co-author of the report and Deputy Research Director at the SMF, said: “This is a significant and welcome step for local democracy and thriving communities. Councils know their high streets better than anyone, yet the 'aim to permit' rule has meant they've had very little real say over what opens on them. Our research made clear that these venues are proliferating in the poorest communities, are linked to anti-social behaviour, and often fail the basic tests of fairness and harm prevention set out in the Gambling Act itself. Today's announcement is exactly what we called for and it puts decision-making back where it belongs – with the councils and communities who have to live with the consequences.”
Impact on High Streets
The new measures are expected to have a significant impact on the number of vape shops in the UK, particularly in areas near schools. Councils will be able to reject applications that they believe are not in the best interest of the local community, potentially leading to a reduction in the proliferation of such shops.
This crackdown is part of the Labour government’s wider strategy to revitalise high streets, which have seen a decline in traditional shops and services. By giving councils more power, the government aims to ensure that high streets reflect the needs and desires of local residents, rather than being dominated by certain types of businesses.
Reactions and Next Steps
The announcement has been welcomed by campaigners and researchers who have long called for tighter regulation of vape shops and similar premises. The consultation period will allow stakeholders, including local councils, business owners, and the public, to provide their views on the proposed changes.
Following the consultation, the government will introduce legislation to implement the new planning category and associated measures. The exact timeline for implementation has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to be a priority for the government in its efforts to improve Britain’s high streets.
