Some products can only be sold to persons of a certain age. This means they are "age-restricted" and should not be sold to underage persons. This helps to prevent anti-social behaviour, reduces risks to health and improves the safety of the community. We work with the police to combat the illegal sale of age-restricted products (such as alcohol, tobacco and knives) to young people.
We work with the police and other agencies to monitor the type of products being sold and to come up with ways of dealing with problem traders.
We carry out targeted test purchasing exercises to check that businesses are obeying the law. Young people under the permitted age are sent into shops to ask for an age-restricted item. This method tests the procedures that traders have in place and helps us pinpoint problems and take action to put things right.
Business Compliance Team
Open 9amâ5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
What products are age restricted?
| Product | Age restrictions | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 18 and over | £5,000 forfeit of licence. £10,000 for persistently selling to underage. |
| Tobacco products | 18 and over | £2,500 |
| Offensive weapons/knives | 18 and over | £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment |
| Crossbows | 18 and over | £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment |
| Fireworks and sparklers | 18 and over | £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment |
| Lighter refills containing butane | 18 and over | £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment |
| Caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns | 16 and over | £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment |
| Lottery tickets/Instant Win cards | 18 and over | £5,000 and up to 2 years imprisonment |
| Aerosol paint | 16 and over | £2,500 |
| Videos, video and computer games: Classification 18 | 18 and over | £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment |
| Videos, video and computer games: Classification 15 | 15 and over | £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment |
| Videos, video and computer games: Classification 12 | 12 and over | £5,000 and up to 6 months imprisonment |
Business Compliance Team
Open 9amâ5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Reporting age restricted sales
If you have spotted or believe a trader in Coventry is supplying any of the above items to underage people, please use our online reporting form [/tsreportit] or contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.
What happens next?
We will investigate and take action if we find a problem. Where necessary, businesses selling age-restricted products could be fined or people sent to prison. Traders selling alcohol may be issued with Fixed Penalty Notices or have their licenses reviewed which can lead to their licence being revoked.
Business Compliance Team
Open 9amâ5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Business advice
We also advise and educate traders on changes to the law and methods they can use to make sure they do not sell to underage people. We can supply point of sale material such as posters and refusals books. If you are a Coventry business and want advice on this or other fair trading and consumer matters please contact the Business Compliance team.
You can also visit Business Companion [http://www.businesscompanion.info/] which provides information about Trading Standards and Consumer Protection legislation. There is new guidance on electronic cigarette sales called Nicotine Inhaling Products [http://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/underage-sales/tobacco-and-nicotine-inhaling-products].
Business Compliance Team
Open 9amâ5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Volunteer to undertake test purchases
If you are, or know of anyone, aged either 15 or 16 and would wish to volunteer to carry out test purchases for us, please email businesscompliance@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:businesscompliance@coventry.gov.uk?subject=Underage%20sale%20volunteer] putting Underage sale volunteer in the title.
Business Compliance Team
Open 9amâ5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)