What vape retailers need to know to avoid £2,500 fines | Viewpoint: Dr Marina Murphy
Dr Marina Murphy outlines four new UK rules under the Tobacco and Vapes Act that vape retailers must follow to avoid fines up to £2,500.Summary
New laws under the UK Tobacco and Vapes Act took effect on 29 October, requiring vape retailers to adapt to several rules. First, it is now illegal to sell any vaping product or consumer nicotine product, including nicotine pouches and zero-nicotine vapes, to anyone under 18; retailers must train staff, enforce ID checks, and ensure online age verification. Second, all vending machines selling vapes or non-medicinal nicotine products are banned, with the person managing or controlling the premises—not the machine owner—responsible for compliance. Third, free distribution of vapes and consumer nicotine products is prohibited, including free samples, coupons, and offers like buy-one-get-one-free. Fourth, proxy purchasing is now an offence: adults cannot buy or attempt to buy vaping and nicotine products for someone under 18, so staff should be alert and refuse suspicious sales. Penalties include fixed penalty notices of £200 in England, Wales, and Scotland (£250 in Northern Ireland), and court fines up to £2,500 (£5,000 in Northern Ireland). Dr Marina Murphy, head of external affairs UK and scientific affairs at Haypp, wrote the viewpoint.
(Source：Talking Retail)
