Teenagers over the age of 16 can help retailers and themselves by getting and using a proof of age card. There are a number of ID cards which are presently being used in the UK. View the ID cards available (PDF - 2.4 MB)
It is illegal for age restricted goods to be sold to those who are below the specified age limit. A business or individual seller 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 Restricted Products | Age at which they can be legally purchased |
| Cigarettes, tobacco products or cigarette papers | 18 and over |
| Offensive weapons/knives | 18 and over |
| Caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents or throwdowns | 16 and over |
| Fireworks and sparklers | 18 and over |
| Videos, video and computer games: Classification 12 | 12 and over |
| Videos, video and computer games: Classification 15 | 15 and over |
| Videos, video and computer games: Classification 18 | 18 and over |
| Volatile substances/solvents | 18 and over |
| Crossbows | 18 and over |
| Airguns and pellets | 18 and over |
| Lighter refills containing butane | 18 and over |
| Alcohol | 18 and over |
| Aerosol paint | 16 and over |
| Lottery tickets/Instant Win cards | 18 and over |
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