Age restricted products and underage sales

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.

Age limits

There are age limits for the sale of:

• alcohol
• cigarettes
• knives and offensive weapons
• spray paints
• fireworks
• DVDs, videos and computer games
• butane gas and solvents.

See the full list of age limits and maximum penalties for selling age-restricted goods:

• Age restricted products leaflet

Consumers – buying products and reporting problems

• Using Citizencard to prove your age
  Need proof of your age? Find out how to apply for a Citizencard.
• Reporting underage sales
  How to tell us if you think a business has been selling to underage customers.
• Apply to be a volunteer purchaser
  Aged 14 to 16½? You can help us catch businesses that sell to underage customers.

Businesses – selling products

• Preventing underage sales
  How businesses can ensure that they don't sell to underage customers.
• Underage sales retailer pack – Hantsweb
  The trading standards service in Hampshire provides an online guide to help businesses that sell age-restricted products.