Age-restricted products

The full range of age-restricted products are considered to present real risks to the health and welfare of children and teenagers.

Legislation prohibits the supply (sale or hire) of the following specific products to persons under specified age limits:

• alcohol
• cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco
• fireworks
• cigarette lighter refills containing butane
• liqueur chocolates
• lottery tickets and scratch cards
• video recordings and computer games
• spray paints
• botulinum toxin and cosmetic fillers
• corrosive substances
• bladed articles

If you are a trader in any of the above products, you and your staff should be aware of the age restrictions, the associated law and guidance.  

Trading Standards Officers need to know which premises are making, or are suspected of making, illegal sales so that steps can be taken through advice, warnings or prosecution to prevent such sales. It is vital that such knowledge or suspicions are reported to the Trading Standards service, and you can report it through our online form.

Government announcement on energy drinks

The Government plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s.

This is because these drinks can affect children’s:

• physical and mental health
• sleep quality
• learning outcomes

Parents and teachers support this change. It is part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

You can read more on the GOV UK website.

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 is now enacted. 

The Act introduces a comprehensive package of measures to protect public health and tackle the proliferation of harmful and non-compliant products. Key provisions include:

• a progressive generational ban on tobacco sales, preventing anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever legally purchasing tobacco products in the UK
• stricter regulation of vapes and nicotine products, including restrictions on flavours, packaging, and nicotine content designed to reduce their appeal to children and young people
• extension of legislation to cover novel and emerging nicotine products, closing loopholes that have allowed non-compliant products to proliferate in the market
• strengthened enforcement powers for Trading Standards officers, providing the tools needed to take effective action against retailers selling non-compliant or illicit products

Knife Crime and Knife Sales Legislation

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 received Royal Assent on the 29 April 2026. 

Strengthened age verification for knives and crossbows: At the point of purchase, online sellers of knives and crossbows will now be required to check a photographic identity document (passport or UK driving licence), alongside a current photograph of the buyer to confirm they are the document holder. At the point of delivery, couriers must check the photographic identification of the person receiving the package to confirm they are aged 18 or over and are the buyer. 

The Act also introduces a two-step age and identity verification process for the online purchase, letting (hire), and delivery of crossbows or crossbow parts. Operators of collection points will be required to carry out the same enhanced age verification checks before handing over knives, or in the case of crossbows or crossbow parts, to the buyer or hirer. These measures also bring crossbow deliveries into line with knife deliveries by preventing crossbows or crossbow parts from being delivered to lockers, left on doorsteps, or delivered to neighbours or other household members.

Bulk purchasing: Retailers will be required to report to police where quantities of knives are purchased that suggest stockpiling for criminal rather than legitimate purposes.

Further information can be accessed at GOV.UK.

Contact

Trading Standards service, Directorate of Housing and Communities, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH. Email: tradingstandards@newcastle.gov.uk