Licences and permissions 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, 18 Restricted

What can you do

If you want to buy 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 any of these products to anyone under the minimum age, please report them via Citizens Advice Bureau. They manage the national Consumer Advice Service, and staff there assess each problem and pass it on to the relevant body, such as Trading Standards.

Trading Standards

Department: Neighbourhood Services

Email:

Telephone: 0161 234 1555

Fax: 0161 274 7239

PO Box 532
Manchester
M60 2LA

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