Simple terms explainer

Local authorities must enforce legislation controlling the sale of tobacco and nicotine vapour products, ensuring that these products are not sold to anyone below the legal age of 18. This includes carrying out underage test‑purchasing operations to assess the effectiveness of age‑verification practices operated by retail premises, ensuring that businesses are correctly registered with the Scottish Government, and checking that all required statutory signage is displayed. Local authorities have enforcement powers to issue fixed penalty notices, apply for tobacco and nicotine vapour product banning orders, and report offences to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service where appropriate.