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Trading Standards

Age Restricted Products - A Consumer's Guide

There are strict laws prohibiting the sale of certain items eg alcohol, tobacco and fireworks to young people as they are considered to present real risks to their health or welfare.
No ID No Sale
It is illegal for age restricted goods to be sold to those who are below the specified age limit. A business or individual seeler can be fined or prosecuted and may lose their livelihood for making an illegal sale.

Why do I need to be concerned?

Ignoring the risks of using restricted products under age can lead to :
  • Long term health problems from tobacco and solvent abuse
  • Serious injury or death from fireworks and solvents
  • Being drawn into criminal or anti-social behaviour from alcohol, solvent abuse and gambling
  • Educational under-achievement from alcohol and solvent abuse
Warwickshire Trading Standards take the issue of sales of age restricted products to children very seriously. Not only is their health affected but the quality of life of the community at large is also damaged.

We have adopted a proactive approach to reduce illegal sales. Whilst maintaining a robust enforcement policy against those traders who flout their responsibilities we also are keen to work with traders who want to comply, for example by visiting traders, providing them with advice and information and orgainsing trader seminars.

We also use intelligence gathered from the local community and others to identify areas of the county where illegal sales of age restricted products may be taking place and sometimes indivuidual businesses. These areas/businesses can them be the subject of test purchase exercises using child volunteers.
Age Resticted Products

Product
Age at which they can be legally purchased
Cigarettes, tobacco products or cigarette papers 18 and over
Offensive weapons/knives18 and over
Caps cracker snaps novelty matches party poppers serpents throwdowns16 and over
Fireworks and sparklers18 and over
Videos, video and computer games: Classification 1212 and over
Videos, video and computer games: Classification 1515 and over
Videos, video and computer games: Classification 1818 and over
Volatile substances/solvents18 and over
Crossbows18 and over
Airguns and pellets18 and over
Lighter refills containing butane18 and over
Alcohol18 and over
Aerosol paint 16 and over
Lottery tickets/Instant Win cards 18 and over






Last updated : 24/07/2008

Review : 31/12/2008

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Warwickshire County Council, Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4SA Telephone: 01926 410410

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