Sales to children

It is against the law to sell various items to children under a certain age.

The items and minimum ages are as below:

Alcohol - age 18
confectionary containing alcohol - age 16
cigarettes including vending machines - age 18
fireworks including sparklers - age 18
party poppers, caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, serpents, throwdowns - age 16
videos, DVDs, computer games - ages 12, 15, 18, 18Restricted
cigarette lighter fuel, refill canisters containing butane - age 18
solvents e.g. solvent based glues, marker pens, correction fluid - age 18
lottery tickets, scratch cards - age 16
air weapons, crossbows - age 17
knives and other bladed items - age 18
aerosol paints - age 16
petrol - age 16.

Can you help us by volunteering for our age-restricted sales exercises? If so, please complete our online form in the related links section.

Do you want to report a trader who has sold alcohol to a child under 18? If so please visit our reporting sales of alcohol to children page.

You can download our ‘It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18’ A3 poster below. Please note that this poster should only by printed in A3 size, as the wording and minimum size for this notice is prescribed by law.

Please use the links in the more information section to view or download our leaflets.