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 or 18

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 Citizens Advice Bureau.