Overview

The Sale of Tobacco (Licensing) Bill aims to introduce a licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products in England and Wales. This will involve stricter age verification checks and penalties for non-compliance, ultimately aiming to reduce youth access to tobacco.

Description

This bill mandates licenses for all retail sales of tobacco products in England and Wales. Licenses will be issued by local weights and measures authorities and will include conditions, notably a mandatory age verification policy.

Licensing Conditions: Online sales are prohibited. Individuals with convictions under section 7 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (related to child abuse) are ineligible for licenses.

Age Verification: The bill requires licensees to implement an age verification policy for customers who appear under 25. The Secretary of State can adjust the age threshold. Penalties for non-compliance include fines and criminal charges. The Secretary of State will issue guidance on best practices for age verification, including documentation, training, and record-keeping.

Licence Revocation: The bill allows for license revocation for offences committed on the licensed premises, with a notice period given to affected parties. The revocation can last from 28 days to 3 years.

Information Publication: Licensee names, premises addresses, and economic operator identifier codes must be publicly available.

Fees: The Secretary of State must consult on proposals to cover the administrative costs of the licensing system within three months of the bill passing, potentially involving increases to existing fees.

Government Spending

The bill anticipates increased administrative costs for local authorities handling licensing. The exact cost is to be determined through consultation, potentially funded by increases in existing tobacco-related fees.

Groups Affected

• Retailers selling tobacco: Required to obtain licenses, implement age verification policies, and comply with all regulations. Failure to comply can lead to fines or imprisonment.
• Local authorities: Will be responsible for administering licenses and enforcing regulations, leading to increased workload and potential costs.
• Young people: The bill aims to reduce their access to tobacco through stricter age verification.
• Tobacco industry: Will face increased regulatory burdens.
• Consumers: May face inconvenience through stricter age verification checks.

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