£200 On-the-Spot Fines for Underage Tobacco and Vape Sales
The UK government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is designed to protect future generations from the dangers of tobacco and vaping products, is moving closer to becoming law.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of on-the-spot £200 fines for retailers found selling tobacco, vape, and nicotine products to underage customers. This penalty will allow Trading Standards to take immediate action against underage sales, which have been a growing concern in recent years, especially with the increasing use of disposable vapes among young people.
The Bill, which passed its second reading in Parliament, brings forward a comprehensive strategy to create a "smoke-free generation" by restricting the sale of tobacco to anyone aged 15 or younger. This progressive policy aims to reduce smoking rates significantly and improve public health outcomes by preventing the next generation from falling into tobacco addiction.
Key Points of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
- Generational Ban on Tobacco: Starting in 2027, tobacco will no longer be sold to individuals aged 15 or younger (this year), effectively creating a smoke-free generation in the UK.
- Retail Licensing for Tobacco and Vapes: A licensing scheme for retailers selling tobacco, vape, and nicotine products will be introduced, aimed at improving control over product sales and ensuring only responsible vendors distribute these items.
- £200 Fixed Penalty for Underage Sales: Retailers caught selling tobacco or vape products to minors will face an immediate £200 fine. This aims to deter illegal sales and bolster enforcement efforts.
- Environmental and Public Health Measures: The Bill includes plans to ban disposable vapes starting from June 2025, addressing environmental concerns due to the waste produced by these single-use products. Additionally, there will be restrictions on vape advertising, sponsorship, and product packaging to limit their appeal to young people.
- Illicit Trade Enforcement: To complement the legislative measures, an extra £10m has been allocated to combat the illegal trade of tobacco and nicotine products, with increased powers for Trading Standards to inspect premises and seize illicit products.
Tougher Action for Better Public Health
The Bill is not just about penalties for businesses; it also places a strong emphasis on public health. With smoking accounting for around 80,000 deaths each year in the UK and vaping becoming an alarming trend among children, the government’s efforts aim to curb the damaging effects of nicotine addiction.
Enforcement will play a crucial role in the Bill’s success, with Trading Standards officers now empowered to issue fines and perform inspections without notice. If businesses fail to comply with the new rules, they may face more severe consequences, including unlimited fines or imprisonment for the most serious offenses.
Additionally, while the Bill will eliminate underage access to tobacco and nicotine products, it offers a pathway for current smokers to quit. A range of support programmes will be made available, helping individuals transition away from smoking and reducing the strain on the NHS.
What Does This Mean for Retailers?
For businesses, this Bill represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Retailers will need to ensure they are fully compliant with the new regulations or risk facing fines or losing their license to sell these products.
The £200 on-the-spot fines for underage tobacco and vape sales serve as a powerful reminder to businesses that breaking the law will come at a financial cost. As these changes come into effect, the government’s crackdown on illegal sales, coupled with improved health and safety initiatives, will help protect young people and secure a smoke-free UK.
The Role of Serve Legal in Compliance and Enforcement
As part of this new regulatory environment, Serve Legal, the UK’s leading provider of ID compliance auditing services, will play a crucial role in supporting retailers in adhering to the new regulations. Serve Legal already provides valuable services for retailers to reduce the risk of underage tobacco and vape sales. This includes ensuring that businesses conduct age checks in line with legal requirements and business policies, regularly assessing their staff’s performance in complying with the law.
Serve Legal's services will become even more critical as the £200 on-the-spot fines for illegal sales come into effect. As Serve Legal are not affiliated with Trading Standards and do not have the legal authority to issue fines, a failed audit will only result in a learning curve for the business and on-the-ground visibility for its management. Retailers who integrate Serve Legal’s age verification systems into their operations are likely to be better prepared to comply with both the new penalties and the wider Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
If you're a retailer looking to ensure full compliance with the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill or need help implementing robust age verification procedures, Serve Legal is here to support you. Our team of client managers are able to guide you through the changes and help protect your business through bespoke audit programmes.
Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can assist in streamlining your age verification process and improving compliance.
