Last Thursday (29 October), the Tobacco & Vapes Act 2026 saw new rules introduced affecting retailers who buy, sell or display vaping and nicotine products.
The changes for retailers affecting age of sale rules, proxy purchasing, free distribution, discounts and vending machines are live now.
To help its members with compliance, the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) has developed new Assured Guidance in partnership with its Primary Authority, Kent Trading Standards.
Different businesses and authorities can sometimes interpret the same regulations differently, which can be challenging for businesses, especially those operating in more than one local authority area.
In addition, the spread of rumour and bad advice found online - now also including AI generated summaries of regulations which can be incorrect - further add to the challenges.
New scheme
Under the Assured Guidance scheme, the IBVTA agrees how the regulations should be interpreted with its Primary Authority. Local enforcement officers should then respect that interpretation, so “the rules are applied fairly and consistently,” the IBVTA said.
The new guidance includes the products covered by the new age of sale rules, verifying customers’ ages, practical examples of how the new discounting and free distribution rules work as well as sample documents businesses can use.
As with all similar guidance that’s been assured, the legal protection of the co-ordinated Primary Authority Partnership Scheme only applies to members of the IBVTA.
To download a copy of the new guidance, click here.
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