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Retail premises

Everyone involved in sales from off licensed premises should be aware of their obligations under the Licensing Act 2003 relating to the prevention of sales of alcohol to children.

It is essential that you keep within the law and have systems in pace that act as a legal defence to an individual who is under 18 you could be prosecuted and fined, and your licence to sell alcohol could be at risk.

Retail poster

Check 25 – When selling an age-restricted product you should carry out age verification checks on anyone who looks younger than 25. Display this poster in your premise

Retailer tools

Age certification checks – verify the age of potential buyers by asking to see an identity card that bears the PASS hologram (the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) is the UK's national proof-of-age accreditation scheme supported by the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).

Keep & maintain a refusals register – This means keeping a record (date, time, incident, description of potential buyer) where sales of age-restricted products have been refused. This helps to demonstrate that you actively refuse sales and have an effective system in place

Store layout, signage & CCTV – Keep your age-restricted products where they can be monitored by staff. Ensure you have adequate signs to inform customers of the minimum legal age to purchase. You are legally required to display notices for tobacco and fireworks.

Retailer training

The law states that it is an offence for any person to sell any tobacco products (including cigarette papers) to a person under 18, whether or not it was for their own use. This is a strict liability offence, which means the owner of the business can be held responsible as well as the member of staff who made the sale.

You must display a notice that states: It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18

The notice must be displayed in a prominent position and be easily visible at the point of sale. The notice must be no less than 297 mm x 420 mm (A3) and the characters must be no less than 36 mm in height. Your local trading standards service or your tobacco supplier may be able to provide a notice for you to use. It is an offence if you do not have the required notice on display.

Retailer posters

Posters available for retailers to display.

Retailer tools

Training

There are growing concerns about the numbers of young people using vapes. Trading Standards have seen a significant increase in complaints about sales of disposable vapes to young people.

E-cigarettes are an age restricted product. It is illegal to sell e-cigarette products to anyone under 18 or for adults to buy them on behalf of under-18s.The maximum penalty for selling an e-cigarette to a person under 18 years is a fine of £2500.

There are disposable vape products on the market that don’t meet UK regulations. These products can be seized by Trading Standards and a business supplying these could be prosecuted, so make sure you only stock and supply legal product.

Latest information for businesses from the Government about the ban of single-use vapes (from the 1 June 2025)

Retail poster

Check 25 – When selling an age-restricted product you should carry out age verification checks on anyone who looks younger than 25. Display these posters in your premise

Age certification checks – verify the age of potential buyers by asking to see an identity card that bears the PASS hologram (the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) is the UK's national proof-of-age accreditation scheme supported by the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).

Keep & maintain a refusals register – This means keeping a record (date, time, incident, description of potential buyer) where sales of age-restricted products have been refused. This helps to demonstrate that you actively refuse sales and have an effective system in place

Training

Vape retailers WEEE compliance

Vape retailers obligations under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE).

Some small retailers currently have an option to join a ‘Distributor Takeback Scheme,’ which means they do not have to takeback the electrical items, but if the retailer is not eligible or does not register with the scheme, then they MUST have in place a takeback process, which includes:

  1. Make provision to have a waste single use vape bin in store.
    2. Pay for an approved waste contractor to collect and dispose for them.
    3. Keep all records for up to 4 years.

Further guidance on compliance with the WEEE regulations can be found on GOV.UK.

Trading Standards the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network and partner services are working together to tackle knife crime and make our communities safer.  

Trading Standards are urging retailers to review how they store, display, and sell knives as part of the new responsible retailer scheme. 

Together we are educating children, young people and communities on the dangers of knives. Where to access support and how to report any concerns. 

Responsible retailer scheme

It is illegal to sell and deliver knives, other bladed products and corrosive substances to anyone under 18. The legislation is enforced by the police and Trading Standards. Sellers should always verify the age of the purchaser before a sale, and delivery companies should do so on delivery. 

The law

Sale of Knives – Trading Standards law explained (PDF 100 KB)

Retailer knife training

Online training

We are implementing a Responsible Retailer Scheme. We recommend you sign up to this scheme by completing a short online course to support you & your staff in complying with the law around selling age-restricted products.

Key learning

  • Prevent underage sales of knives

  • How to store knives and bladed articles safely

  • How to monitor activity outside your business, especially if young people are hanging around.

On completion of this course, you and staff members will receive a certificate (sent to your email address). You should keep this as evidence for your business due diligence training records. Trading Standards will also receive a record that your premises have completed the course and are supporting the Responsible Retailing of Knives Scheme.

Retailer resources

Posters

Good practice

Working together to keep young people safe

Knife crime is a serious concern that impacts heavily on our communities.  

As parents, guardians and professionals, we play a vital role in safeguarding. By fostering open communication, educating about the dangers and consequences, and promoting positive activities, we can help prevent knife crime and ensure the safety of our young people.  

Working Together, let's create a safer environment for our children to thrive. 

Please find below free resources and support available throughout Lancashire and nationwide.  

If you are concerned for a young person(s) immediate safety, please contact the Police.

Online sales of age-restricted products

Selling age-restricted products via the internet presents particular issues and retailers must have effective systems in place for preventing sales to prospective customers who are underage.

Online sales – Trading Standards law explained (PDF 65 KB)