The following legislation has been in force since 20th February 1993. The primary aims are to increase the penalties for the sale of tobacco to persons under 16 years of age, ban the sale of unpackaged cigarettes, and require the display of warning notices in retail premises and on vending machines.

Legislation

• Children and Young Persons (Protection From Tobacco) Act 1991
• The Protection From Tobacco (Display Of Warning Signs) Regulations 1992
• Children and young Persons Act 1933

Age Restriction

Persons under the age of 16 are prohibited from purchasing cigarettes, cigars, tobacco products, and related paraphernalia.

Offences

• To sell cigarettes, tobacco products or cigarette papers to anyone under 16 years of age. This is the case whether or not they are for their own use or purchasing for somebody else.
• To sell cigarettes unless they are in quantities of 10 or more and in their original packaging. This means packs cannot be split and sold individually.
• Failure to display the correct warning statement (see below).

Warning Statements

• All retail premises selling tobacco, cigarettes, or cigarette paper must display a notice as shown below. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.

• The above notice must be displayed in a prominent position that is readily visible at the point of sale of tobacco.
• The dimensions of the sign must be at least 297mm by 420mm (A3 Size) with no letter less than 36mm high.
• Tobacco vending machines made available in any premises must bear a similar notice which states:

• The above notice must be affixed to the vending machine.
• Its dimensions must be at least 60mm by 100mm with no letters less than 6mm high.

Maximum Penalties

Failure To Display The Correct Notice		£1,000
Splitting Of Packets		£1,000
Selling Tobacco Products to Persons Under The Age Of 16		£2,500