ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers about the tobacco changes in force from today. From 20th May, the menthol cigarettes ban with come into effect and the sell through period for unmarked stock in the tobacco track and trace system will end.
Menthol Cigarettes Ban
From 20th May, the following will be banned:
- Menthol cigarettes (this includes capsule, click on, click & roll, crushball or dual menthol cigarettes)
- Cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco which has been packaged with flavoured filters or papers
The ban does not affect the sale of:
- Flavoured filters or papers
- Heated tobacco products
- E-cigarette products
- Rolling tobacco
- Flavoured cigars and cigarillos
Track and Trace Sell Through Period
The 20th May 2020 also sees the end of the sell through period for unmarked cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco (produced before 20th May 2019) in the tobacco track and trace system. Retailers will need to make sure remove these products from sale.
Retailers can identify compliant cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco products (produced on and after 20th May 2019) by looking for a security label on the left hand side of cigarette packs and the closing side of a hand-rolling tobacco pouch. Cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco without this label can no longer be sold.
ACS is also reminding retailers that they must have an Economic Operator Identifier Code and Facility Identifier Code(s) in order to purchase cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. Without these codes tobacco suppliers and wholesalers cannot by law sell any cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco products to retailers from 20th May. For more information about how retailers can obtain identifier codes, click here.
