A leading Scottish software engineering firm has launched a revolutionary digital platform aimed at transforming the way tobacco and nicotine licenses are managed.
Zudu, founded in Dundee in 2014 by CEO James Buchan, won a Scottish Government CivTech Innovation and Tech Accelerator contract to tackle the challenge of building a modern, digital first method to manage historic licensing for tobacco products.
ePass by Zudu provides retailers and the Scottish Government with a secure platform to host their Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Register and is initially being rolled out to 10,000 retailers with plans to onboard over 15,000 vape and tobacco retailers on the register in the next month.
ePass provides a simple solution for both retailers and the government. While end-users can easily update records and comply with legislation, Trading Standards and local council officials can securely validate data and search the platform to confirm registration.
James Buchan, CEO of Zudu, said: “As laid out by the Scottish Government’s Tobacco and Vaping Framework, the nation is set to become a tobacco-free generation by 2034. Our robust system helps enforce these regulations where it truly matters - protecting future generations.
“The ePass team is proud to work alongside forward-thinking teams to position Scotland as a leader in digital transformation, delivering real benefits for both citizens and businesses.”
2024 marked a year of significant expansion for Zudu, with the opening of a new office in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre and employing eight new staff across Scotland.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto has welcomed a new modernised website for the register of retailers selling tobacco and vapes.
Ms Minto said: “This new system aims to enhance data quality - ultimately enabling better enforcement of regulations on those selling tobacco and vapes which ensure young people under 18 cannot access these age-restricted products.
“While most retailers comply with the law, this up-to-date database is more accurate and can be more easily checked.
“The system will also provide retailers with information on any changes to the law made through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is under consideration at the UK Parliament.”
Alexandra Connell, The Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland’s chair (SCOTSS), said: “The Tobacco (and NVP) seller register was a great help to local authority trading standards services when it was introduced in 2011, and we are very supportive of this redevelopment work that should bring improvements in the quality of data available to enforcement officers with a much more modern and robust feel, that still makes it easy for sellers to register.”
The dynamic partnership between Zudu, the Scottish Government, Trading Standards, Local Authorities, and retailers has enabled the swift rollout of a live solution.
Future developments of the product are planned to build a two-way communication centre between retailers and the government and an e-learning platform to educate retailers on legislation changes and how they can comply.