Tobacco retail in the UK has been through major changes over the last decade. From bans on visible point-of-sale displays to standardised packaging, legislation has reshaped how tobacco products are sold, affecting everything from retail layout to supply, compliance and store economics. For retailers, keeping up with these changes is essential for compliance, reputation and avoiding penalties.
It’s been over 10 years since the first big display ban came into play, banning retailers from displaying tobacco products at their point of sale. Following this, a standardisation was made across all packaging, meaning no logos, no colours, just fixed packet sizes and large health warnings on every pack.
The regulatory landscape continues to evolve; with further proposals and industry-wide changes and retailers will need to be ahead of the curve.
Upcoming Regulations and Pressure Points
From 5 November to 28 January 2025, there was a call for evidence from the government on standardised packaging regulations to all tobacco products, including cigars, cigarillos, herbal products and cigarette papers. While no formal legislation has followed yet, a new consultation has launched on mandatory pack inserts that would require all cigarette and hand-rolling tobacco products to include a mandatory health warning insert.
Perhaps, most prominent though is the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced on 5 November 2024. The main objective of this bill is to create a ‘smoke-free generation’ by making it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. Beyond this, the Bill grants the government new powers to regulate, or further restrict, not just cigarettes but all nicotine products. This includes potential licensing requirements for retailers, stricter controls on product design and packaging, tighter restrictions on advertising and promotions, and expanded smoke or vap free public space regulations. For vaping and nicotine products, including vapes, herbal smoking, papers, and related devices, the Bill allows regulation of product contents, flavours, packaging, packaging and retail licensing.
If enacted, these moves could further restrict what retailers can do, not just in terms of packaging but also visibility, display and marketing of all nicotine products.
Many retailers are worried about how the new legislation would affect the future of vaping and tobacco, with many believing that it could destabilise the entire category. A poll commissioned by retailer platform C-Talk, found that one in 10 convenience store owners would consider closing their store if the Tobacco and Vapes Bill becomes law.
How Retailers Can Overcome Plain Packaging and Navigate Potential Bills
Plain packaging makes tobacco products harder to distinguish, slower to serve and more prone to error, so the retailers who adapt best are the ones who tighten their back-of-counter operations.
Clear organisation is essential. Grouping SKUs logically, labelling shelves behind closed doors, and keeping fast-moving lines within easy reach all help staff navigate uniform packs quickly and confidently.
Regular staff training also plays a major role, ensuring teams understand the range, stay consistent with age-verification checks and remain alert to new rules as they emerge.
Retailers should also ensure they have efficient, compliant storage solutions, from sliding-door units to secure drawers, reducing mistakes, improving transaction times and keeping inspections simple.
Tobacco may be more restricted than ever, but retailers can stay resilient by staying organised, informed and adaptable. Strong stock systems, confident staff and a proactive approach to compliance create stability even as regulations evolve. And as tobacco becomes a tougher category to rely on, shifting focus toward faster-growing areas like food-to-go, meal deals, bakery, soft drinks and essentials gives stores more room to grow. The rules may be changing, but well-prepared retailers can continue to serve their customers and protect their business with confidence.
