UK pilots blockchain traceability for vape authentication ahead of 1 Oct 2026 duty‑stamp go‑live
The UK’s mandatory Vaping Duty Stamps (VDS) go live on 1 October 2026, and industry pilots are testing permissioned blockchain and smart contracts to authenticate stamps, record provenance and combine age verification at the till. Brands, manufacturers and retailers must redesign packaging, upgrade digital reporting and prepare new recordkeeping to meet HMRC’s evolving traceability requirements.