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Underage Sales
Legislation prohibits the sale of certain products to persons under certain ages. This section of our website is designed to guide you through the requirements of the law and assist you in complying with it.
Laws related to underage sales exist to safeguard the health of young people and reduce community disorder. The information found here is aimed at offering advice and is not an exhaustive list. It is not a definitive statement of the law and does not include any possible future amendments.
Think 21 [MORE INFO]
Wirral Trading Standards, in partnership with other agencies, have launched a "Think 21" campaign, and encourages licensed premises to challenge anybody who looks under 21 for proof of age. It is easier for staff selling alcohol to distinguish between somebody who is under 21 than somebody who is under 18. If somebody challenged then produces valid proof of age, to show they are over 18, they will then be served.
Trading Standards are asking all licensees in Wirral to voluntarily adopt this scheme as a standard across the Borough. We understand that customers may take offence at being asked to prove their age at first, but the more they are asked, the less likely they are to take offence. For more information about this initiative, and to see our publicity material click here.
Advice For Retailers [MORE INFO]
Some of the legislation governing underage sales have defences available, namely that the accused took all reasonable precaution and exercised all due dilligence to avoid committing the offence. For more information click here.
Volunteers Required
Wirral Trading Standards need your help! We are currently looking for Underage Sales Volunteers to assist us in preventing underage sales in Wirral. Click Here for more information.
Age Restricted Items
The following table shows age restricted items along with the relevant legislation, and applicable punishments. It is an offence to supply any of the following products to persons who have not attained the specified age.
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Product
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Age Limit
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Legislation
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Maximum Penalty
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Tobacco Products
(Including cigarettes, cigarette papers, etc.)
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16
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Children and Young Persons (Protection From Tobacco) Act 1991
Children and Young Persons Act 1933
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£2,500
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Lottery Tickets / Scratch Cards
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16
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National Lottery, etc. Act 1993
National Lottery Regulations 1994
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£5,000 and up to 2 years imprisonment
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Offensive Weapons
(Knives, knife blade, axe, any other article which has a blade or is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted for use for causing injury to a person)
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16
(18)
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Offensive Weapons Act 1996
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£5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
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Alcohol
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18
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Licensing Act 1964
(Licensing Act 2003)
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£1,000 and loss of licence
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Fireworks
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18
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Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997
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£5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
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Volatile Substances / Solvents
(when it is believed that they are likely to be inhaled or are for the purposes of being intoxicated)
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18
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Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985
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£5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
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Lighter Refills Containing Butane
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18
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Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999
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£5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
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Video Recordings
(Incl. Computer Games)
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12,15,18
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Video Recordings Act 1984
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£5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
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