Underage Sales
Age restrictions for products are brought in by the Government to protect young people. The impact of underage drinking and smoking can be devastating on the health and development of the individual.
It is a criminal offence to sell an age-restricted product to someone who is underage. The punishment can be a fine of up to £5000 or six months imprisonment.
Reporting Underage Sales
If you have witnessed the sale of age-restricted products, or believe a business is selling age-restricted products illegally. Use our online form to report the underage sale. You can report anonymously but please understand we may not be able to investigate if we need more information. Your information is confidential and will never be shared.
Young people and Alcohol
Drinking alcohol has a range of short- and long-term physical and mental health effects. No matter what your age. But for underage drinkers, there are additional consequences that can affect health, development and potentially getting into trouble with the law.
Communities can also be badly affected, particularly by underage drinking which can often lead to anti-social behaviour and a fear of crime. We work with Hampshire Constabulary and other departments to tackle these issues.
Inclusion IOW provide a free, confidential support service for all age groups on the Isle of Wight. Anyone who needs help or advice or a young person who is using, or if your affected by someone else’s use of alcohol or drugs they can help.
Young people and vaping
Nicotine vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking – however, it is not risk-free. Vaping is not for children and young people, whose developing lungs and brains are more sensitive to its effects.
That's why there's a minimum age of sale for vaping products in the UK. It is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to anyone under 18 or for adults to buy them on behalf of under-18s.
If you're under 18 and want to know the facts about vaping, find out more on the FRANK website
Botox and Cosmetic Fillers
In order to safeguard children from potential health risks, the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 has been introduced to prohibit persons and business owners from administering botulinum toxins (generally referred to as Botox) and cosmetic fillers to children under the age of 18.
Business owners are also prohibited from making arrangements to administer, or arranging for another person to administer, botulinum toxins and cosmetic fillers to children under the age of 18.
The table shows the age restrictions for all relevant products.
| Goods | Age Restriction |
|---|---|
|
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
|
| Botox and Cosmetic Fillers | 18 and over |
| Christmas crackers |
12 and over
|
| Crossbows |
18 and over
|
| Knives, axes, blades |
18 and over
(in Scotland domestic knives can be sold to those aged 16 and over)
|
|
Lighter refills containing butane
|
18 and over
|
| Liqueur confectionery (Scotland only) |
16 and over
|
|
Lottery tickets / 'instant win' cards
|
16 and over
|
|
Nicotine inhaling products, Vapes (England and Wales only) |
18 and over
|
|
Party poppers and similar low-hazard low-noise fireworks (category F1) (except Christmas crackers)
|
16 and over
|
|
Petrol
|
16 and over
|
|
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 |
Prevention of underage sales
We carry out test purchases to check retailers are complying with the law and not selling age-restricted products to underage persons. These exercises involve a young person attempting to buy an age-restricted product such as alcohol, tobacco, solvents, knives or spray paints.
If you are aged between 14 and 16 years old and would be interested in carrying out test purchases, email trading.standards@iow.gov.uk.
Reporting Underage Sales
If you have witnessed the sale of age-restricted products, or believe a business is selling age-restricted products illegally. Use our online form to report the underage sale. You can report anonymously but please understand we may not be able to investigate if we need more information. Your information is confidential and will never be shared.