Products with age restrictions
This table lists products you cannot sell to underage consumers. Some age restrictions apply to under-16s, others apply to under-18s.
| Product | Examples or formats | Age restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Beer, wine, spirits | 18 |
| Tobacco products | Cigars, cigarettes, cigarette papers, herbal smoking products, pipe tobacco, rolling tobacco | 18 |
| Electronic cigarettes | 18 | |
| Exploding novelties | Party poppers, toy caps, serpents, throw-downs, novelty matches, cracker snaps | 16 |
| Films and computer games | CD, DVD, video | 12 15 18 |
| Fireworks, sparklers | 18
| |
| Intoxicating substances | Gas lighter refills, solvents | 18 |
| National Lottery | 16 | |
| Offensive weapons | Knives, items with blades or points | 18 |
| Petrol | 16 | |
| Spray paints | 16 |
Age restriction details
Alcohol (beer, wine and spirits)
It’s an offence:
- to sell alcohol to a person under 18
- for someone under 18 to try and buy alcohol
- for a person over 18 to buy alcohol on behalf of a person under 18
- for a person under 18 to sell alcohol unless a person over 18 approves the sale
Tobacco products
It’s an offence:
- to sell tobacco products to a person under 18
- for a person over 18 to buy tobacco products on behalf of a person under 18
- to display tobacco products – you must keep them in a closed cabinet
You must display an A3-size notice in your shop stating, 'It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18'. To get a copy of this notice email us at tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
It’s an offence:
- to sell e-cigarettes or their liquid refills to a person under 18
- for a person over 18 to buy e-cigarettes or liquid refills on behalf of a person under 18
Films (DVD, CDs and videos) and computer games
It’s an offence to sell a film or computer game to a person who has not reached the age shown on the label – this could be 12, 15 or 18.
Fireworks and sparklers
It’s an offence:
- to sell fireworks and sparklers to a person under 18
- to sell exploding novelties to a person under 16.
Intoxicating substances (gas lighter refills and solvents)
It’s an offence:
- to sell gas cigarette lighter refills to a person under 18
- to sell solvents to a person under 18 if you think they'll inhale the product to achieve intoxication
National Lottery
It’s an offence:
- to sell National Lottery tickets or instant scratch cards to a person under 16
- for a person under 16 to sell a National Lottery ticket
Offensive weapons (knives, blades and razor blades)
It’s an offence to sell certain items that could be used as offensive weapons to a person under 18.
Petrol
It’s an offence:
- to sell petrol to a person under 16
- for a person under 16 to sell petrol
- for a person over 18 to leave a person under 18 in charge of a petrol station
Spray paints
It’s an offence to sell aerosol spray paints to a person under 16.
Precautions you must take
You must take all reasonable precautions to prevent underage sales in your business.
You can refuse to sell to someone if:
- you’re unsure of their age and they cannot provide proof
- you suspect an adult is buying items on behalf of an underage person
- you have any other legitimate reason for refusing to sell to them
Test purchases
We regularly carry out test purchase exercises. A failure may result in criminal prosecution.
Contact us
Trading Standards