Only two weeks ago, we shared news of the newly announced £200 on-the-spot fines for underage sales of tobacco and vaping products. This initiative equips Trading Standards with the authority to take immediate action against a longstanding issue: the sale of age-restricted products to minors. With the rapid rise in disposable vape usage among young people, this measure has sparked significant public debate.
Today, multiple news outlets are reporting new findings from British American Tobacco (BAT) that underscore growing public demand for harsher penalties for those caught selling vapes to children.
BAT surveyed 6,000 individuals on the proposed £200 fines, and the results were striking:
In addition to harsher fines, 67% of respondents supported the introduction of a licensing system for vape sales, with permanent licence revocation as a penalty for repeated violations. Specifically:
The urgency is clear: more than half of respondents called for the licensing scheme to be rolled out within the next three months.
As public interest and scrutiny grow, the pressure is mounting for swift action on legislative reforms. Retailers must remain fully informed of current and upcoming compliance requirements to avoid breaching the law. A proactive approach to understanding these changes is essential for businesses to maintain trust and demonstrate their commitment to ethical retail practices.
Head of BAT UK & Western Europe, Asli Ertonguc, emphasised the importance of coupling a licensing system with meaningful consequences:
“With the Tobacco and Vapes Bill still progressing through Parliament, the Government must act fast. A retail licensing system is a step in the right direction. However, without increased fines and stricter punishments, unethical retailers will simply continue to break the law. For a vape license to be effective, retailers must know that if they abuse it, they lose it.”
Whilst this remains public opinion, it is not out of the question that these views will influence future legislative developments for vape sales. Retailers must stay ahead of their compliance challenges to avoid the risk of fines or potential licence revocation.
As discussions around penalties and licensing continue, Serve Legal is here to support retailers in navigating regulatory changes and meeting compliance standards.