Cigarettes and tobacco products

Young people

• It is illegal to sell cigarettes, cigarette papers or any other tobacco product to anyone under 16.
• If you are not sure that the customer is over the age of 16, ask for proof of age.
• If no proof of age can be produced, refuse the sale.
• The law forbids all tobacco sales to children. If a child says, "they’re for my mum" that makes no difference, even if it is true.
• Make sure the warning notice "IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 16" is displayed and can be seen clearly at all times.

Vending machines

• Users of vending machines should be monitored to ensure no under 16s are buying cigarettes.
• Cigarette vending machines must have on them the warning notice "THIS VENDING MACHINE IS ONLY FOR THE USE OF PEOPLE AGED 16 OR OVER".

All sales

• It is illegal to break a pack open and sell loose cigarettes from it to anyone, child or adult.
• The Government/Health warning on the packet must be in English.

Remember - you commit an offence if:

• you sell cigarettes and tobacco products to a person under 16
• if you sell unpackaged loose cigarettes
• if you do not display the general warning notice or the vending machine notice so they can be easily seen.