Scotland bans sale of nicotine products to under-18s

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 00:27 · Archive

Scotland has banned the sale of all nicotine and herbal smoking products to under-18s, extending existing restrictions beyond vapes to include pouches, strips, pearls and any herbal products that can be smoked. The new rules came into force on 29 October as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.

Anyone selling nicotine products must hold a valid registration by 29 April 2027. This makes Scotland the only part of the UK to know where such products are being sold, according to the Scottish Government. Retailers already registered to sell tobacco and vaping products must update their registration if they intend to continue selling nicotine and herbal smoking products, as existing registrations do not automatically cover them.

Vending machines can no longer stock such items, and substantial discounts on nicotine products have been banned. The rules also extend Scotland's fixed penalty notice scheme for tobacco and vaping offences to cover nicotine and herbal smoking product offences. Adults buying or attempting to buy these products for children is also now an offence.

Public health minister Maree Todd said nicotine products, particularly pouches, are gaining popularity among young people. 'By banning the sale of these products to under-18s, the Scottish Government is taking a crucial step in protecting people's health,' she said. Scotland's chief medical officer Gregor Smith noted that nicotine is highly addictive and can lead to withdrawal symptoms including depression, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.

The Mirror reports that the measures include a £10 million annual cash boost and new recruits for Trading Standards to help clamp down on illegal sales. More than a million children have tried vaping, with more than 370,000 being regular users. Further measures are set to arrive in January, including a ban on the sale of tobacco, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

How it is being reported

• Sir Chris Whitty: 'Vape sellers targeting youngsters is completely unacceptable'OPINION: The UK's Chief Medical Officer slams unscrupulous retailers as new laws come into force banning the sale of nicotine pouches and nicotine-free vapes to under-18sThe Mirror · 29 Oct, 00:08
• Sir Chris Whitty slams vape sellers targeting kids as new ban comes into forceRetailers can no longer flog nicotine pouches and nicotine-free vapes to under-18s — or plug the products through special promotions or free samplesThe Mirror · 29 Oct, 00:07
• Scotland bans sale of nicotine products to under-18sThe ban forms part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026The Independent · 29 Oct, 00:01
• Sale of nicotine products to under-18s banned in ScotlandThe new rules extend to other forms of nicotine, such as pouches, strips or pearls.Evening Standard · 29 Oct, 00:01
• Scotland bans nicotine product sale for under-18sA nicotine ban has come into effect in Scotland, meaning under 18s will no longer be able to purchase certain productsThe Independent · 29 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Scotland · Maree Todd · Gregor Smith · Scottish Government · UK

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log