Age restrictions
There are strict laws prohibiting the sale of certain items to young people. Traders and their staff can be prosecuted if they make an underage sale.
Prosecution may result in:
- fines
- loss of licence
- imprisonment
The following age restrictions apply.
| Goods | Age restriction in England |
|---|---|
| adult fireworks and sparklers – category F2 (outdoor use, confined areas) and category F3 (outdoor use, large open areas) fireworks | 18 and over |
| Aerosol paint | 16 and over |
| Alcohol | 18 and over |
| Christmas crackers | 12 and over |
| Crossbows | 18 and over |
| Knives, axes or blades | 18 and over |
| Lighter refills containing butane | 18 and over |
| Lottery tickets and 'instant win' cards | 18 and over |
| Nicotine inhaling products | 18 and over |
| Party poppers and similar low-hazard low-noise fireworks (category F1), except Christmas crackers | 16 and over |
| Petrol | 16 and over |
| Solvents and volatile substances | 18 and over – offence to supply or offer to supply to under 18s occurs only if the person knows or believes it is to be used for intoxication |
| Sunbeds | 18 and over |
| Tobacco | 18 and over |
| Video recordings – U (universal) | unrestricted |
| Video recordings – PG (parental guidance) | unrestricted |
| Video recordings – classification 12 | 12 and over |
| Video recordings – classification 15 | 15 and over |
| Video recordings – classification 18 | 18 and over |
| Video recordings – classification R18 | 18 years and over in a licensed sex shop |
| Video games – PEGI rating 3 | unrestricted |
| Video games – PEGI rating 7 | unrestricted |
| Video games – PEGI rating 12 | 12 and over |
| Video games – PEGI rating 16 | 16 and over |
| Video games – PEGI rating 18 | 18 and over |
Report underage sales
You can report suspected underage sales or adults who you think may be buying on behalf of those underage.