New regulations which provide stronger sanctions for businesses or individuals who deal with illicit tobacco and contravene the requirements of the Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) Regulations 2019 have now come into effect.

From now on, failure to comply with the requirements of the Tobacco Track and Trace (TT&T) regulations across our country may result in the issue of financial penalties, seizure of certain tobacco products found at non-compliant premises and the exclusion of retailers from the TT&T registration system.

Potential breaches may be investigated by Trading Standards and referred to HMRC for issue of sanctions.

This system was brought in to crack down on illicit tobacco and for imports that have avoided tax. 

Vendors who were already made aware of the income change, can seek more information at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tobacco-track-and-trace-penalties

By following through the process of tobacco, from where it was originally produced to where it is finally sold on from, there will not only be greater data on illicit goods but details for public health campaigns, ensuring the correct tax is paid and that all tobacco being produced is done so in a safer, employee conscious way where staff are paid appropriately.