Age-verification technology could play a key role in helping preventing underage vaping, even outside of stores, according to an independent retailer.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently making its way through the House of Lords, includes a law making it illegal for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to purchase tobacco products. If approved, the ban will increase the legal age of buying such products each year. It also includes proposed vape display, packaging and promotion restrictions designed to cut underage vaping.

Speaking on the Better Retailing podcast, Atul Sodha, owner of Londis Harefield in Uxbridge, warned that store owners would be left to “pick up the pieces” when it comes to enforcing the ban. However, he pointed to the use of technology as a potential solution.

To help address these challenges, Sodha has partnered with IKE Tech, a company specialising in age and identity verification solutions.

He said: “I’ve been working with a company that’s going to try and alleviate a lot of those issues, this device will have something inside that will not allow you to vape unless there’s been age verification.”

He explained the proposed technology in the vape prevents it from being activated by anyone other than the age-checked purchaser.

Retailers to struggle enforcing generational smoking ban

The concept comes amid the rollout of AI-powered age verification systems in stores, which uses cameras to check whether a customer is likely over 18 years old or not. However, Sodha was unconvinced by these tools.

He explained “Point of sale verification hasn’t worked because it’s down to us as retailers – there can be fails even though we’ve got EPoS, AI etc. This is putting the onus on the user as well as the manufacturer. Why don’t we use tech to make our lives easier?”

‘Dodged a bullet’

Aman Uppal, whose family recently sold One Stop Mount Nod in Coventry after 32 years, said he felt he had “dodged a bullet” with the upcoming legislative changes.

He said: “Hearing about the generational ban I’m thinking ‘oh my God I’ve dodged a bullet here’, the disposable vape ban coming up, all of these things, these hurdles that have been thrown, hoops to jump through, things to climb over… that was another point that made me think this was the right time.

“The legislation has not been the reason why; it’s a thing retailers can navigate (but) it’s just another thing that’s chiselling away at us. These things make the life of a retailer not as enjoyable.”

Uppal also highlighted the overall lack of information and guidance available to retailers who want to sell their business.

He added: “I don’t think there’s enough literature and advice out there. Talking to other retailers who are going through the same thing at the same time, we’ve all come to the conclusion that the best way to get through it is to ask each other for advice.”

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