Age Restricted Sales – Businesses


The Isle of Wight Trading Standards Service has a duty to enforce the legislation surrounding the sale of age-restricted products. These products include alcohol, tobacco, solvents and knives.

Tobacco Vending Machines


From 1 October 2011, it will be illegal to sell cigarettes (or any other tobacco product) from an automatic vending machine in England to any person, regardless of their age.

It will also be against the law to display advertisements or pictures of tobacco products on vending machines. The current exemption allowing advertisements on vending machines will no longer apply.

Frequently asked questions

Business Advice Leaflet

English Tobacco Display Draft Amending Regulations


What is test purchasing?


In order to ascertain whether businesses are complying with the law, the Service carries out test purchasing exercises each year. A test purchasing exercise is where a young person attempts to purchase an age restricted product under our supervision. When they attempt the purchase, the young person should be asked for identification to prove they are old enough to buy it.


What happens if we fail a test purchasing exercise?


Failing a test purchase can have serious consequences for the individual that made the sale as well as the business. The individual or/and the business could be prosecuted or have their licence reviewed.


What can I do to prevent an underage sale?

  • Keep a refusals register – this shows that you are aware of attempted underage sales and could form an important part of your defence if you face prosecution.
  • Ensure staff are trained regularly and the training is recorded.
  • Use the Challenge 21 concept. This is when staff ask anyone they believe to be 21 or under for identification. It makes it easier to judge age and there is less risk of making an underage sale. Some premises choose to adopt Challenge 25 or even Challenge 30.
  • Only accept a passport, driving licence or card with the PASS logo as identification and examine it closely.

What are we doing to help retailers?


We work closely with other agencies such as Licensing colleagues and the Police to combat underage drinking. We recently participated in a Community Alcohol Partnership scheme in Sandown in which patrols of Police and Trading Standards Inspectors confiscated a large amount of alcohol from young people in the town over a six month period.

Click here to download our business guide for Age Restricted Sales, ‘If in doubt don’t sell’.
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Business Advice – Age Restricted Sales


ERWIN (Everything Regulation Whenever It’s Needed)

Age Restricted Products and the relevant ages

Please note: If you require specific advice on this subject, please contact the Trading Standards Service for further assistance.






Page last updated on: 10/10/2011