Scotland has banned under-18s from buying all nicotine and herbal smoking products, including pouches, strips and pearls, under rules that took effect on 29 October. The measures, part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, also require anyone selling nicotine products to hold a valid registration by April 29, 2027, and bar vending machines from stocking such items.
Retailers already registered to sell tobacco and vaping products must update their registration if they intend to continue selling nicotine and herbal smoking products, because existing registrations will not automatically cover them. The Scottish Government said the registration requirement means Scotland will be the only part of the UK that knows where such products are being distributed. The fixed penalty notice scheme for tobacco and vaping offences is also being extended to cover nicotine and herbal smoking product offences, alongside additional offences, and substantial discounts on nicotine products are outlawed.
The Scottish Government urged retailers to review their age verification processes, staff training and registration details before the rules took effect.
Public health minister Maree Todd said: “We want to protect future generations from nicotine addiction and we know that nicotine products, particularly pouches, are starting to gain popularity among young people. By banning the sale of these products to under-18s, the Scottish Government is taking a crucial step in protecting people’s health. This in turn is helping people across Scotland to live longer, healthier lives.” She added that requiring retailers to register would provide a strong foundation for effective regulation and enforcement, and thanked retailers who had already registered while reminding others to do so before the deadline next April.
Scotland’s chief medical officer, Gregor Smith, said: “Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms including depression, difficulty concentrating and insomnia. Whilst vapes may have a role to play in assisting addicted people to stop smoking, it is very clear to me that those who do not smoke should never start using nicotine products, and this especially applies to children and young people.” He welcomed the age-of-sale restrictions, saying they would help reduce the health harms associated with nicotine addiction and address health inequalities in Scotland.
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health Scotland, said: “Ash Scotland welcomes these measures, enabled by the Tobacco and Vapes Act, as essential steps in closing legal loopholes and preventing the tobacco and nicotine industry from continuing to generate massive profits at a cost to children’s health.” She said nicotine consumption can have a devastating impact on young people through affecting their cardiovascular system, brain development and mental health, and that preventing nicotine pouch sales to children and stopping free sample promotions of vapes are vital measures to tackle youth nicotine addiction.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Under-18s in Scotland can no longer legally buy nicotine pouches, strips, pearls or herbal smoking products, and vending machines can no longer stock them.
- Retailers must register by April 29, 2027, to sell nicotine products, giving Scotland what the Scottish Government describes as the only UK-wide record of where such products are distributed.
- The fixed penalty notice scheme now covers nicotine and herbal smoking product offences, and substantial discounts on nicotine products are banned.
Background
Scotland has introduced the measures as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, extending existing tobacco and vaping rules to newer nicotine products such as pouches, which the public health minister said are gaining popularity among young people. The Scottish Government has urged retailers to update their age verification, staff training and registration before the deadline.
Key Perspectives
- Maree Todd, public health minister: says the ban on sales to under-18s is a crucial step in protecting health and that registration will provide a strong foundation for regulation and enforcement.
- Gregor Smith, chief medical officer: says nicotine is highly addictive and those who do not smoke should never start using nicotine products, especially children and young people.
- Sheila Duffy, ASH Scotland: welcomes the measures as essential steps in closing legal loopholes and preventing the tobacco and nicotine industry from profiting at a cost to children’s health.
What to Watch
- The April 29, 2027 registration deadline for retailers selling nicotine products.
- Enforcement of the extended fixed penalty notice scheme for nicotine and herbal smoking product offences.
- Whether other parts of the UK follow Scotland in requiring registration of nicotine product sellers.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedScotland has banned the sale of nicotine products to under-18s.The Independent UK: “Scotland bans sale of nicotine products to under-18s.”
- SupportedRetailers must register by April 29, 2027.The Independent UK: “Anyone selling nicotine products will need to possess a valid registration by April 29, 2027”
- SupportedThe rules end vending machine sales and discounts on nicotine products.The Independent UK: “The tougher legislation comes as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, and will also mean vending machines can no longer stock such items. Discounts on the sale of any nicotine products will also be outlawed.”
- SupportedThe under-18 sales ban took effect on 29 October and covers nicotine and herbal smoking products, including pouches, strips and pearls.The Independent UK: “The tougher new rules, taking effect on 29 October, will make it illegal for children under the age of 18 to buy pouches, strips and pearls, and any other herbal products that can be smoked.”
- SupportedExisting tobacco and vaping retailers must update their registration to keep selling the products, because their current registrations do not automatically cover them.The Independent UK: “Retailers already registered to sell tobacco and vaping products must update their registration if they intend to continue doing so, as existing registrations will not automatically cover them.”
- SupportedThe Scottish Government said registration means Scotland will be the only part of the UK to know where these products are distributed.The Independent UK: “Anyone selling nicotine products will need to possess a valid registration by April 29, 2027, meaning Scotland will be the only country in the UK that will know where such products are being distributed.”
- SupportedThe fixed penalty notice scheme is being extended to cover nicotine and herbal smoking product offences, alongside additional offences.The Independent UK: “Scotland’s fixed penalty notice scheme for tobacco and vaping offences is also being extended to cover nicotine and herbal smoking product offences, alongside additional offences.”
- SupportedThe Scottish Government urged retailers to review age verification, staff training and registration details before the rules took effect.The Independent UK: “The Scottish Government has been urging retailers to review their age verification processes, staff training and registration details before the new rules took effect.”
- SupportedMaree Todd said, “We want to protect future generations from nicotine addiction and we know that nicotine products, particularly pouches, are starting to gain popularity among young people.”The Independent UK: “We want to protect future generations from nicotine addiction and we know that nicotine products, particularly pouches, are starting to gain popularity among young people.”
- SupportedGregor Smith said nicotine can cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms including depression, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.The Independent UK: “Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms including depression, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.”
- SupportedSheila Duffy said Ash Scotland welcomes the measures as steps to close legal loopholes and prevent the tobacco and nicotine industry from generating profits at a cost to children’s health.The Independent UK: “Ash Scotland welcomes these measures, enabled by the Tobacco and Vapes Act, as essential steps in closing legal loopholes and preventing the tobacco and nicotine industry from continuing to generate massive profits at a cost to children’s health.”
- SupportedDuffy said nicotine’s effects on young people include impacts on their cardiovascular system, brain development and mental health, and that preventing pouch sales to children and stopping free vape samples are vital measures.The Independent UK: “The consumption of nicotine can have a devastating impact on young people through affecting their cardiovascular system, brain development and mental health, so preventing nicotine pouches sales to children and stopping free sample promotions of vapes are vital measures to tackle youth nicotine addiction.”