Reporting under age sales
There are several laws in force which place age restrictions on a number of products to protect the health and safety of young people. It is illegal to sell or supply these products to people who have not reached the required age.
If you suspect a retailer of selling age restricted products to people who are under the minimum age, you can report it by:
- calling the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 2231133
- visiting the Citizens Advice website
- emailing trading.standards@cumberland.gov.uk
Age restricted products
| Product | Age limit |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 18 |
| Tobacco products (Including cigarettes, cigarette papers) | 18 |
| Fireworks | 18 |
| Lighter refills containing butane | 18 |
| Volatile substances and solvents (when it is believed that they are likely to be inhaled or are for the purposes of being intoxicated) | 18 |
| 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 |
| Lottery tickets and scratchcards | 16 |
| Video recordings (including computer games) | 12, 15, 18 |
What we do
We carry out regular test purchasing exercises to off-licences using young volunteers.
We respond to specific complaints and also carry out assessments of risk for the Cumberland area.
We frequently deal with problems relating to age restricted products and underage sales through routine inspection, advice to traders and education.