Trading Standards takes its role in enforcing under age sales very seriously. We work closely with Avon and Somerset Police in test purchasing projects where covert under-age test purchase volunteers are sent into shops and attempt to buy age restricted goods.
Trading Standards offer advice and education to traders on how to avoid making illegal sales of age-restricted products to young people, but if a trader continues to sell goods to young people, they could be prosecuted, or in the case of alcohol, have their licence to sell alcohol taken away.
Under age sales and anti-social behaviour
The problems of anti-social behaviour are often linked to under age sales. Goods that are age restricted can be dangerous in the hands of a young person who cannot understand what happens when the goods are misused. The dangers can affect the young person directly as well as other people around them.
If the Council can cut the access young people have to age-restricted goods, anti-social behaviour may be reduced.
The Law
The law makes it a crime for traders to sell certain goods to young people who have not reached the legal minimum age.
The goods are:
Over 18 only:
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes/ Tobacco
• Fireworks
• Butane Lighter Refills
• Knives
Over 16 only:
• Spray Paints
• Petrol
• Liqueur Chocolates
• Lottery Tickets and Scratch Cards
• Video games, DVDs and films can have 12, 15 or 18 age limits.
Test Purchasing Volunteers
Trading Standards are always on the look out for volunteers to help them with their test purchasing projects. If you are between 13 and 16 and show a good level of maturity, ask your parents to apply on your behalf by using the contact details on this page.
Advice and Guidance
Advice and guidance leaflets will be available online shortly. Please contact Trading Standards in the meantime.