The Association of Convenience Stores has launched a new awareness campaign to help retailers understand the incoming rules on age verification for tobacco products.
On 1 January 2027, measures introduced in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill are set to come into force, which will mean that anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will be unable to ever legally purchase tobacco products.
ACS’ Decline09 campaign, which launched today at its Safe and Responsible Retailing Conference in Birmingham, acts as a reminder to retailers and their colleagues that if someone is born in 2009 or later, they must decline the sale of tobacco.
The trade body has put together a one-page guide on the actions retailers need to take to prepare, including replacing the mandatory age of sale notice on 1 January and training colleagues on the new rules.
It has also produced social media assets and in-store posters that retailers can utilise to communicate the change in legislation when it comes into force.
The Decline09 campaign has been backed by leading retailers and the Chartered Institute for Trading Standards and developed in consultation with the Department for Health & Social Care.
“The introduction of the generational tobacco ban will require store colleagues to be trained on a whole new way of checking that someone is of age to purchase tobacco products,” said ACS CEO Ed Woodall.
“The Decline09 campaign aims to simplify that process as much as possible to ensure that colleagues can approach the change with confidence and ensure that they uphold the law.”
Health minister Sharon Hodgson said: “We welcome the support of the Association of Convenience Stores in implementing the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the most significant public health intervention in a generation. We are creating the first smoke-free generation and this guidance will help retailers to serve their communities responsibly and in compliance with the law.”
Kate Pike, lead officer for tobacco, vaping and nicotine at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: “Trading Standards have strongly backed the proposal to recognise the uniquely harmful nature of cigarettes and tobacco products through the Smokefree Generation policy.
”We welcome the constructive guidance for retailers from the Association of Convenience Stores, which explains how to implement the new law in a straightforward and uncomplicated manner.
“As always, we will continue to support legitimate businesses while taking action against those who persistently ignore their responsibilities.”
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