orange card handed out

Stricter age verification at petrol stations from 1 October for smoking sales

Met ingang van 1 oktober 2025 moeten tankstations in Nederland er streng op toezien dat iemand die rookwaren in het station wil kopen, aantoonbaar 18 jaar of ouder is.
Met ingang van 1 oktober 2025 gaan tankstations strenger controleren of degene die rookwaren wil kopen tenminste 18 jaar oud is.

With effect from 1 October 2025, petrol stations in the Netherlands will have to strictly check that anyone wishing to buy smoking products at the station is demonstrably 18 years of age or older. This check can be done with ID or special equipment. In the run-up to the measure, petrol stations are handing out orange cards announcing the new policy to smokers.

Industry organisations Bovag, Drive, Nove and Vemobin have jointly agreed that from 1 October 2025, their members will ensure that all customers wishing to buy smoking goods at a petrol station will be closely checked for their age. Anyone wishing to buy cigarettes, rolling tobacco, cigars, vapes or other smoking goods at a petrol station must be of the legal age of at least 18 to do so. This is checked by physically checking a valid ID, such as a passport, driving licence or identity card. Passes such as a public transport chip card, school pass or student pass do not count as valid ID. Age can also be determined using special equipment. Only if a buyer is clearly over 18 years of age, age does not have to be established.

The sales area must additionally display that the age limit for tobacco sales is 18. This notice must be clearly visible and legible.

Orange card

Already from 15 August, consumers buying tobacco at a petrol station will be given an orange card. This card the size of a credit card, available in Dutch and English, announces what will happen from 1 October.

The stricter age check when buying smokes at petrol stations is there to protect employees from the increase in aggression and violence and to remain accepted as a sales channel until 2030, according to industry associations. Research by the NVWA earlier showed that compliance with the 18-year-old age limit is substandard. If tobacco is still sold to someone who is not 18 or older, the sales channel could be fined.

Also read:

This article was automatically translated from the Dutch language original to English (British).

Author: Paul Blonk

Source: MobilityEnergy.com

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