Know your responsibilities: Age restrictions and proxy purchasing of tobacco and NVPs (vapes)
It is an offence to sell Tobacco products and Nicotine Vapor Products, such as vapes and e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 18. It is also illegal for customers to proxy purchase nicotine-based products on behalf of someone under the age of 18.
Your responsibilities:
Register your business and products at: www.tobaccoregisterscotland.org
As a retailer, you must operate an age verification policy to check the age of anyone attempting to buy a tobacco product, cigarette papers or an NVP who appears to be under the age of 25.
Establish a policy or course of action for your staff to adhere to, provide adequate training and keep a record of having done this.
Statutory warning notices ‘It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18’ must be displayed in a prominent position at point of sale.
Trading Standards’ officers carry out test purchasing of tobacco and NVP products regularly across Scotland. Selling Tobacco or NVPs to someone under the age of 18 years may result in a fine up to £2,500. Failing to operate a verification policy carries a fine of up to £500 and failing to complete the tobacco register could result in a fine of up to £20,000, and six months in prison.
For more information and guidance go to: www.gov.scot/publications/age-verification-guidance/