FAQ

We don’t yet know the cost to apply for or renew a licence each year. Alcohol licences for small shops usually cost between £190 and £315, but those prices are 20 years old, so tobacco and vape licences will probably cost slightly more. It is not expected that you will need to pay for a newspaper advert like you do for an alcohol licence.

Yes, a little. You will have to pay a licence application fee, a yearly renewal fee for your shop licence, personal licence fees for anyone who sells tobacco or vapes, and costs to make sure you follow all the new rules.

That depends on your local council. The government hasn’t yet said what the exact requirements will be. These will be explained later in the new regulations.

Use a specialist to apply and follow the current laws on selling tobacco and vapes — any previous problems might hurt your chances. Make sure your staff check ID carefully and that your training and records are up to date. Fill in your application clearly and correctly when the time comes.

Possibly, yes, but we don’t yet know the details. It is likely that councils will set rules on what hours tobacco and vapes can be sold.

Yes, councils can decide to limit how many licences are allowed in their area. We don’t yet know how they will decide this or what factors they will use.

This information has not been published yet. Councils will probably consult (ask for opinions) before making any restrictions.

Staff must understand the law about tobacco and vapes and always check ID for underage customers. You must keep written records of staff training, have staff sign the records, and repeat training regularly.

You must keep records of staff training and any refused sales, including why the sale was refused and the date of the refusal. These are like alcohol sales record-keeping rules.

You must check photo ID such as a passport or driving licence. Instead of asking “Are you over 18?”, you must check if they were born before 1 January 2009. If they were born on or after that date, you cannot sell them tobacco.

Yes, your current systems for checking age will need to be updated. You will also need new signs inside your shop to show the new legal rules.

All councils must follow the same law, but enforcement may differ slightly. Some councils may focus more on certain issues depending on local problems.

Councils can set some of their own extra licence conditions, so rules may vary between areas.

You have the right to appeal if you think a decision is unfair.

You can appeal to the magistrates’ court.