Age restricted sales

Trading Standards have the responsibility to enforce the laws regarding the sale of alcohol and tobacco to underage persons.

Our service works with retailers to ensure that they and their staff understand the law. We also use young volunteers, in accordance with strict guidelines, to test if retailers are selling to young persons and then can take the appropriate enforcement action if they do so.

Product	Age restriction
Cigarettes	18
Fireworks	18
Alcohol	18
Solvents and butane [see guidance leaflet for full details]	18
Knives	18
Petrol	16
Lottery Tickets and Scratch Cards	16
Spray Paints	16
Party poppers	16
DVD/Video Games	As shown on Certificate e.g. 12, 15, 18

Any employee who sells alcohol to a young person is liable for an £80 fine. If you are unsure of the age, refuse the sale. No ID, No Sale.

Adults are also subject to an £80 fine if they buy alcohol for a young person who has asked them.

No Proof of Age - No Sale

A guide to assist businesses and employees recognise age restricted products and prevent their sale to under age customers has been produced by the SWERCOTS regional partnership of local authority trading standards services.

The resource includes notes and support materials for staff and employees for all types of age restricted products to assist getting into the habit of checking for proof of age. Training plans can be completed to keep employees up to date and to help identify gaps in their knowledge.

The resource includes:

• Staff Notes aimed at employees
• Trainers Notes guidance on training sessions and how to use the resources
• Support Materials such as posters and refusals register
• Tests on each age restricted item, including training records and plans for staff

If you are a Herefordshire Business and would like a free copy of the No Proof of Age- No Sale Training CD-ROM please contact us.

See also our self help section for additional leaflets.