The president signed the bill. Revolution in stores and severe penalties for selling minors

The president of Poland signed a key amendment to the Act, which introduces revolutionary changes in retail trade in Poland. In 2 weeks' time, government will come into force, which drastically tightens the rules on the sale of popular products, which have been available so far without major restrictions. The fresh law introduces an absolute ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes and nicotine bags to people under 18whether or not they contain nicotine. This is simply a fundamental change that will force thousands of stores across the country to immediately adapt the procedures and systems for verifying the age of customers. The Ministry of wellness argues that the aim is to comprehensively defend the wellness of young people from possibly harmful habits that may lead to dependence in the future. This means a fresh purchasing reality for retailers and consumers.

What precisely does the fresh ban include? That's what you request to know

The fresh rules that will come into force any day now are highly precise and extensive. The ban on selling to minors does not apply only to equipment. Restrictions cover the full product categoryincluding:

• Electronic cigarettes – both those containing nicotine and their equivalents of ‘zeros’, i.e. liquids completely devoid of this substance.
• Nickel bags – A popular alternate to conventional tobacco products is besides subject to a complete ban on the sale of minors.
• Spare containers and accessories – the ban besides applies to all elements essential for the usage of e-cigarettes specified as liquids, heaters, chargers or interchangeable cartridges.

This broad definition means that retailers request to carefully analyse their product range. Any product that may be associated with the usage of e-cigarettes will require the age of the buyer to be verified. The legislator's aim is to complete exclusion of young people from access to productswhich may constitute a ‘gate’ for nicotine addiction, even if they do not themselves contain it. It is simply a signal that the state treats these products equally with conventional cigarettes and alcohol.

New responsibilities for retailers. How to prepare a store for changes?

Implementation of fresh regulations is simply a immense logistical and organisational challenge for the full commercial industry. store owners must take immediate steps to avoid severe penalties. It is simply a key work introduction of visible and legible markings prohibiting the sale of certain products to persons under the age of 18. This information must be at the place of sale, for example at the box office or on the shelf with the goods.

The most crucial change is, however, obligation to systematically verify age. The staff will be obliged to request the presentation of an identity paper from any individual who wants to buy an e-paper or nicotine bag, and its appearance may indicate incompleteness. Importantly, the rules do not leave area for explanation here – refusal to present a paper must consequence in refusal to sell. This work applies not only to fixed shops, but besides Internet commerce and vending machines. Online shops will gotta implement effective age verification systems, and slots will be equipped with peculiar modules or completely vanish from public places available to youth, specified as buying malls or school areas.

Raw penalties and extended prohibition of use. What are the chances of breaking the rules?

The legislator has ensured that the fresh rules are strictly respected. For selling e-cigarettes or nicotine bags to a minor, he threatens a advanced financial punishment that can scope up to PLN 5000 For a single violation. The government announces increased controls, including police officers and inspectors of the State Trade Inspection. The services have received additional enforcement tools to guarantee the effectiveness of the fresh regulations.

But that is not all. The amendment besides importantly extends the ban on the usage of electronic cigarettes in public places. From now on, the ban on "burning" will apply to all e-cigarettes, including non-smoking ones. This means that they will not be utilized in specified places as:

• public transport stops,
• restaurants and bars (outside the designated zones),
• playgrounds and school areas,
• sports and cultural facilities,
• other spaces of shared use.

There are besides fines for violating this prohibition. The aim is to defend bystanders from vulnerability to aerosol exhaled by e-cigarette users.

What long-term effects will be on the marketplace and consumers?

The changes introduced will undoubtedly shake the e-cigarette marketplace in Poland. In the short term, the commercial manufacture must bear the costs of training staff and implementing fresh procedures. This may affect service times and lead to conflicting situations with customers who will not have an ID.

In the long term, limiting access to minors can importantly affect the sales volume and profitability of this section of the market. Manufacturers and importers will gotta completely change their marketing strategies, eliminating any messages that could scope young customers. The packaging of products with clear warnings will besides change. Poland, erstwhile introducing these restrictions, joins a increasing group of European Union countries that tighten the rules in consequence to public wellness concerns, which suggests that this is simply a trend that will increase throughout Europe.