Scottish Government updates Age verification Guidance for retailers selling tobacco or vaping products
The Scottish Government has published updated guidance on age verification policies for retailers selling Tobacco, Herbal smoking products, Vaping products and Nicotine products.
From 29 October 2026, all retailers selling tobacco, vaping, nicotine or herbal smoking products must operate an age verification policy that has regard to this statutory guidance.
Retailers must challenge anyone who appears to be under 25 (or older if specified in their policy) and request acceptable proof of age before making a sale.
The age verification policy must be written down, kept on the premises and made available to Trading Standards officers on request.
The policy should include details such as:
the business and premises details;
products sold;
the age challenge policy (minimum Challenge 25);
acceptable forms of ID;
how staff request proof of age;
what staff check on ID documents; and
how refusals are handled.
Retailers can choose which approved forms of ID to accept, including passports, driving licences, PASS cards, Defence ID cards, certain national identity cards and Biometric Immigration Documents. Copies or photographs of ID should not be accepted.
Failure to have an age verification policy can result in:
a warning or fixed penalty notice;
fines of up to £500 on prosecution.
Trading Standards officers are responsible for enforcing these requirements.
From 1 January 2027, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Also from 1 January 2027, retailers must display updated tobacco age-of-sale signage stating: "It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009." Failure to display the required notice can result in fines of up to £1,000.
The full guidance can be found here: Supporting documents - Tobacco or vaping product businesses - age verification policies: guidance for retailers - gov.scot
