Display and pricing of tobacco products

The rules

If you sell any products which contain tobacco, the law on how you display and price them has changed.

Since 6 April 2015 all businesses selling tobacco products to members of the public have been required to store them out of the sight of the public. Temporary displays may be allowed in limited circumstances. It is also illegal to show tobacco products to a customer under 18 years of age, who either asks to see them or asks to buy them.

Also from 6 April 2015, price lists and price labels for tobacco products have been required to be displayed in specific formats as detailed in the new law.  

The new law was brought in as part of a range of initiatives which are designed to help reduce smoking uptake by young people and also to support adult smokers who want to quit.

Since 2020 menthol cigarettes have also been banned.

Guidance

Detailed guidance on the new law has been produced by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) and the Department of Health (DoH). This guidance can be viewed in the Business Companion part of the TSI website.

An accompanying Questions and Answers document from the TSI and DoH can also be viewed on the same web page.   

Since 6 April 2015 it will be illegal for anyone, in the course of a business, to display tobacco products or display the prices of tobacco products in any kind of way that does not comply with the requirements of the new law.

Tailored advice for your business

If for any reason you are unsure about the requirements of the new law, further advice can be obtained from the Trading Standards Business Advice Unit on (01908) 252818 or via email.

As a retailer of tobacco products you may also be affected by those involved in the illegal sale of counterfeit, foreign labelled or illicit cigarettes or rolling tobacco etc. If you are aware of a business or individual involved in these illegal sales please follow this link to make a report.