HomeSale of tobacco, alcohol and butane to under 18s
This information is only for business owners.
It explains the regulations around the sale of tobacco, alcohol and butane products to under 18s. It also contains information about test purchasing exercises and advice to make sure your business operates within the law.
Tobacco
On 1 September 2008, the law controlling the sale of tobacco products in Belfast changed.The main changes were:
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Selling cigarettes
It is now illegal to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products (including cigarette papers) to anyone under 18.
Business owners who sell these products to anyone under 18 can be fined up to £2,500.
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Warning notices
Shops selling tobacco must display a warning notice which reads "it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18."
Anyone selling tobacco and not displaying the notice can be fined up to £1,000. You can request a copy of the notice by calling us on 028 9027 0428.
Alcohol
The sale and supply of alcohol is controlled by the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. It is against the law to:- sell or supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.
Business owners can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months if they sell alcohol to under 18s. - sell alcohol that you know is being bought for someone under the age of 18.
Business owners can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months if they sell alcohol which they know is being bought for under 18s.
- allow anyone under the age of 18 to be in an off-licence without an adult.
You can be fined up to £2,500 if you allow this to happen.
Butane
Butane gas found in cigarette lighter refills is the most commonly abused substance in Northern Ireland.More than 50 per cent of all deaths from substance abuse are related to butane gas and around a third of those who die are first-time users. Death rates from butane gas are higher in Northern Ireland than in other parts of the UK.
The sale of butane gas is controlled by the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999. It is against the law to:
- sell cigarette lighter refill canisters containing butane, or a substance containing
butane, to under 18s.
Business owners who do so can be fined up to £5,000 or imprisoned for up to six months.
Advice for business owners
As a business owner, you must take reasonable precautions and show due care when selling any age-restricted products, such as alcohol and tobacco products, to the public. You can do this by:- making sure you and your staff are aware of the law regarding the sale of age-restricted goods
- supporting the law and adopting a policy of 'no ID, no sale'
- displaying statutory warning notices, where needed
- regularly training and supporting your staff
- keeping a record of any refusals.
- Download information for retailers regarding the sale of tobacco products (PDF - 848KB)
- Download poster regarding the sale of tobacco products (PDF - 71KB)
Test purchasing exercises
We are committed to raising awareness among retailers about the law regarding the sale of tobacco products, alcohol and butane to under 18s.That's why we carry out test purchasing exercises, to make sure business owners are complying with, and are aware of, the law.
During the exercises, we send children into shops to try and purchase age-restricted goods. We will prosecute any retailer who sells such products to under 18s.
