Generational Tobacco Ban takes effect from January 2027

From 1 January 2027, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. Retailers should continue to check a customer’s date of birth when required under Challenge 25 and decline the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

The mandatory age of sale notice, which reads, ‘It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009’, will be legally required to be displayed and should replace retailers’ existing tobacco age of sale notices.

The Decline09 materials have been developed in partnership with the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) to provide retailers with clear information to communicate the new legal requirements to colleagues and customers.

We encourage all SGF members who sell tobacco products to familiarise themselves and their staff with the new legal requirements and make use of the materials where helpful to support compliance and communicate the changes clearly to customers.

Retailers should also ensure that their details are up to date on the Scottish Tobacco Register.

The assets can be found here.