Deadline approaching to register to sell e-cigarettes

Retailers who sell Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs) - more commonly known as e-cigarettes and e-liquids - have until 30 September 2017 to update the Register of Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Retailers to show that they sell NVPs. Retailers who fail to update the Register by this date will be committing an offence.  

Updating the Register is free and can be done online at: www.tobaccoregisterscotland.org. For further advice or guidance on how to register, retailers can also telephone the Tobacco Control Team on: 0131 244 2169 or email: tobaccocontrolteam@gov.scot 

In addition, the following changes in the law came into force on 1 April 2017: 

• The sale of NVPs to under 18s and the proxy purchase of NVPs on behalf of under 18s is prohibited
• All retailers who sell tobacco, NVPs or both must operate an Age Verification Policy
• Under-18s are prohibited from selling tobacco or NVPs unless authorised to do so by a Responsible Person.

 The Scottish Grocers Federation has produced helpful guidance on the changes in the law which can be found here: www.tinyurl.com/SGF-Guide2017

The Highland Council’s Trading Standards team will be carrying out checks in the near future to ensure retailers are complying with the above laws. Failure to register may lead to further enforcement action, such as being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice Fine of £200 or, if breaches persist, further fines of up to £20,000 or imprisonment.

Contacts:

The Highland Council’s Trading Standards Section at 38 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UF

Tel: 01463 228700