Following on from the news of numerous health organisations and the ACS urging stores to get to grips with the upcoming changes due from the Tobacco & Vapes Act, the Local Government Association (LGA) is also encouraging retailers to prepare for new measures via newly issued government guidance.
The guidance, issued by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), covers the measures due to come into force on 29 October and 1 January 2027, including new age-of-sale requirements for tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, restrictions on free distribution, fixed penalty notices and a ban on vending machines selling tobacco and vaping products.
The LGA added that councils have a key role in supporting local businesses to understand the new requirements and that Trading Standards teams are responsible for enforcement, while also protecting children and young people from the harms associated with smoking and nicotine addiction.
The new DHSC guidance sets out:
The age of sale for tobacco products, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping products and nicotine products, including restrictions on proxy purchasing.
Age-of-sale notice requirements for tobacco retailers.
Restrictions on the free distribution and substantial discounting of relevant products.
Offences for which fixed penalty notices can be issued.
The ban on vending machines selling relevant products and the exemption for mental health hospitals in England and Wales.
Speaking after the advice was issued, Councillor Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, chair of the LGA’s Health & Wellbeing Committee, said: “Councils are committed to supporting efforts to create a smoke-free generation and reduce the serious harms caused by tobacco use and nicotine addiction.
“The creation of a smoke-free generation, preventing young people from ever starting to smoke, is one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes and manage future pressure on our health and care services.
“These new measures represent an important milestone in the implementation of the Tobacco & Vapes Act and will help tackle the deep health inequalities caused by smoking. We encourage retailers to review the guidance carefully and begin preparing now for the changes coming into force later this year and from January 2027.”
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