Underage sales: restricted products
It is a criminal offence to sell age restricted products and services to anyone under the legal purchasing age. The punishment is an unlimited fine (level 5), except for offences involving tobacco, alcohol and vape products, which carry a level 4 fine (£2,500).
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Age restricted products
| Product | Age restriction |
|---|---|
|
Adult fireworks and sparklers (category F2 and category F3 fireworks) |
18 and over |
|
Aerosol paint |
16 and over |
|
Alcohol |
18 and over |
|
Animals |
16 and over |
|
Botulinum toxin (Botox) and cosmetic fillers (England only) |
18 and over |
|
Christmas crackers |
12 and over |
|
Corrosive substances |
18 and over |
|
Crossbows |
18 and over |
|
Knives / axes / blades |
18 and over |
|
Lighter refills containing butane |
18 and over |
|
Lottery draw based and instant win (such as scratch cards and online instant win) games |
18 and over |
|
Party poppers and similar low hazard, low noise fireworks (category F1) (except Christmas crackers) |
16 and over |
|
Petrol |
16 and over |
|
Sunbeds |
18 and over |
|
Tobacco |
18 and over |
|
Vapes (legally known as nicotine inhaling products in England and Wales). Single-use vapes are now banned regardless of the persons age |
18 and over |
|
Video recordings: classification 12 |
12 and over |
|
Video recordings: classification 15 |
15 and over |
|
Video recordings: classification 18 |
18 and over |
|
Video recordings: classification R18 |
18 years and over in a licensed sex shop |
|
Video games: PEGI rating 12 |
12 and over |
|
Video games: PEGI rating 16 |
16 and over |
|
Video games: PEGI rating 18 |
18 and over |
ID cards
If you suspect a person to be below the legal purchasing age, you should always request a photo ID such as a passport or driver's licence. Businesses are responsible for ensuring that:
- the photo ID is genuine
- the age displayed makes the person old enough to buy the product and
- the photo matches the person presenting the ID.
If a business refuses to sell an age restricted product to a person, it is recommended the business makes a record of:
- the date when the product was refused
- the product
- the reason for refusing a sale
- the name of the member of staff who refused to sell the product
Premises suspected of selling products unlawfully
If you are concerned about a business selling age restricted products to underage person, you can confidentially report a concern using the link below.
If you want to speak to a member of the team, you can email us at trading.standards@barnet.gov.uk or write to us at:
Trading Standards Team
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale
London
NW9 4EW