Scotland will ban any under-18s from buying all nicotine and herbal smoking products in an effort to crack down on the number of children and young people smoking.

The tougher new rules, taking effect on 29 October, will make it illegal for children under the age of 18 to buy pouches, strips and pearls, and any other herbal products that can be smoked.

Anyone selling nicotine products will need to possess a valid registration by April 29, 2027, meaning Scotland will be the only country in the UK that will know where such products are being distributed.

Retailers already registered to sell tobacco and vaping products must update their registration if they intend to continue doing so, as existing registrations will not automatically cover them.

Scotland’s fixed penalty notice scheme for tobacco and vaping offences is also being extended to cover nicotine and herbal smoking product offences, alongside additional offences.

Anyone selling nicotine products will need to possess a valid registration by April…