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Tobacco and NVP retailers

Retailers must not have tobacco and smoking-related products on permanent, open display on gantries behind the counter. There are exemptions for trade-to-trade wholesalers.

Cigarettes must be sold in their original packaging and can only be sold in quantities of 20 or more. It's illegal to provide a tobacco vending machine that customers can operate.

Retailers must display a notice that states IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18.  This notice must be displayed in a prominent position and be visible at the point of sale. Your local trading standards service or tobacco supplier may be able to provide a notice in the prescribed size.

The website businesscompanion.info contains free and impartial information, and is Government-backed. It was set up by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to provide guidance for businesses that need to know about all aspects of trading standards and consumer protection legislation. Ensure you select the Scotland option at the top of the page if you're trading in Scotland.

Scottish Tobacco Retailers Register

Businesses or retailers that sell tobacco and/or nicotine vapour products must be registered. It’s free to register at tobaccoregisterscotland.org.