Underage sales
Consumer advice
Some products can only be sold to people who have reached a certain age. This is to protect the health and safety of young people.
There are age limits for the sale of:
|
PRODUCT |
MINIMUM AGE |
|
Cigarettes including vending machines |
18 |
|
Alcohol |
18 |
|
Confectionary containing alcohol |
16 |
|
Knives, axes and blades |
18 |
|
Crossbows |
18 |
|
Imitation firearms |
18 |
|
Fireworks and sparklers |
18 |
|
Caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns |
16 |
|
Solvents e.g. solvent based glues, marker pens, correction fluid |
18 |
|
Lighter refills containing butane |
18 |
|
Aerosol paint |
16 |
| Lottery tickets / scratch cards | 16 |
|
Videos, DVDs, computer games |
12, 15, 18, 18Restricted |
What can you do
If you wish to purchase age restricted products you may be asked to prove your age, this is usually in the form of a photographic ID.
Reporting underage sales
If you suspect a retailer of selling age restricted products to individuals under the minimum age then you can report it to Contact Consumer Direct or telephone 08454 040506.
Do it online
Contents of Underage sales
- Consumer advice (this page)
- Apply to be a volunteer purchaser
- Trader advice
- Tobacco products
- Alcohol
- Knives/axes/blades
- Crossbows
- Imitation firearms
- Fireworks and sparklers
- Solvents and lighter refills
- Aerosol paint
- Lottery tickets/scratch cards
- Video tapes and DVDs (including computer games)
- Sunbeds
