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If you know a premises which sells age restricted products to underage children,
"DON'T IGNORE IT. REPORT IT." using one of the following methods:


REPORT IT
(Online form to report underage sales)

or
TELEPHONE  0151 691 8020  /  08454 04 05 06

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.

DON'T IGNORE IT. REPORT IT.  
A number of consumer goods are age restricted, making it illegal to sell or supply them to people who have not reached the required age. (i.e. selling alcohol to under 18s). Laws relating to underage sales exist to safeguard the health of young people and reduce community disorder. If you know of a retailer selling age restricted products to people under the age of 18, you can report it to Trading Standards 08454 04 05 06.

Think 25  [MORE INFO]
Wirral Trading Standards, in partnership with other agencies, have launched a "Think 25" campaign, and encourage all licensed premises to challenge anybody who looks under 25 for proof of age. This initiative is designed to help people selling age restricted products (alcohol, tobacco, fireworks, etc) to refrain from making illegal sales to children under the age of 18. Any person who looks under 25 should be asked to prove their age with valid proof of age identification. If somebody challenged then produces valid proof of age, to show they are over 18, they can be served. If the person challenged is unable to produce proof of age they should be refused, and an entry made in the refusals register accordingly.

Trading Standards recommend all premises in Wirral who sell age restricted products to adopt this measure. 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. If the policy is clearly explained to customers, including the reasons behind it, we hope that the majority of people will understand. 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.

Product Age Limit Legislation Maximum Penalty
Tobacco Products
(Including cigarettes, cigarette papers, etc.)
18 Children and Young Persons (Protection From Tobacco) Act 1991
Children and Young Persons Act 1933
£2,500
Lottery Tickets / Scratch Cards 16 National Lottery, etc. Act 1993
National Lottery Regulations 1994
£5,000 and up to 2 years imprisonment
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)
18 Offensive Weapons Act 1996 £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
Alcohol 18 Licensing Act 2003 £5,000 and loss of licence
Fireworks 18 Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
Volatile Substances / Solvents
(when it is believed that they are likely to be inhaled or are for the purposes of being intoxicated)
18 Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
Lighter Refills Containing Butane 18 Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999 £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment
Video Recordings
(Incl. Computer Games)
12,15,18 Video Recordings Act 1984 £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment


 
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Trading Standards Division, 3rd Floor, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
Telephone: (0151) 691 8020    Fax: (0151) 691 8098
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/wirral/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@wirral.gov.uk

Copyright © Wirral Trading Standards Division 2007