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
Report underage sales
You can report suspected underage sales or adults who may be buying on behalf of those underage.
Before making a report, use the table below to check current age restrictions in England.
Age restrictions in England
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 |
| Vapes | 18 and over |
| 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 |