Menthol Cigarettes Ban – from 20th May 2020

Menthol Cigarettes Ban

 From 20th May 2020, 

 
It will be ILLEGAL for shops to sell MENTHOL CIGARETTES.
 The European Union Revised Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) makes it an offence for manufacturers to 
produce menthol cigarettes and for retailers to sell menthol cigarettes from 20th May 2020. The European Union 
believe that a ban on flavoured tobacco will improve public health by deterring people from smoking. 
 
The UK’s exit from the European Union does not impact the introduction of the menthol cigarettes ban.
• The ban also applies to capsule, click on, click & roll, crushball or dual menthol cigarettes. The ban does not apply to heated tobacco products or e-cigarette products 
• Retailers must have sold through remaining stock of menthol cigarettes by 20th May 2020. 
 

 Menthol cigarettes banned from 20th May 2020 

 No sell through period 

 Retailers must have sold through remaining  stock of menthol cigarettes by 20th May 2020. 

 
 PENALTIES 
If a retailer sells menthol cigarettes on or after 20th May 2020, they are guilty of an offence and are liable: 
• On summary conviction in a magistrates’ court to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or a fine, or both. 
OR 
• On conviction on indictment in the Crown Court to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, a fine, or both.