Underage sales

Trading Standards has responsibility for the enforcement of various pieces of age restricted sales legislation. Underage sales has become an important part of our role in recent years, and is an area where Trading Standards can contribute to the quality of life experienced in Edinburgh. These are:

The Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 as amended which creates an offence of supplying tobacco to any person under the age of 18
The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 which create an offence of supplying fireworks to any person under the age of 18
The Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999 which create an offence of supplying a cigarette lighter refill cannister containing butane to any person under the age of 18
The Video Recordings Act 1984 which creates an offence for supplying a video work subject to a classification certificate to a person younger than the age described on that classification certificate
The Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 creates an offence of selling a spray paint device to a person under the age of 16.

Trading Standards are in a unique position to enforce this legislation due to powers granted under the specific legislation. We have considerable expertise in enforcement of age restricted sales legislation, and have been active in this field since 2002. We undertake an annual test purchase exercise for fireworks, and are undertaking a similar project again this year. We were one of four local authorities chosen to participate in the Scottish Executive Tobacco Products Test Purchasing Pilot scheme, and are currently undertaking a major test purchasing project on underage sales of tobacco in Edinburgh.

More information on fireworks enforcement

More information on tobacco enforcement

If you would like further information on our role in underage sales enforcement, or would like to make a complaint or enquiry, please contact us.