Age-restricted sales

In Northern Ireland, the following products and services may only be sold to customers above a certain minimum age:

• Aerosol paint may only be sold to customers over the age of 18.
• Animals may only be sold to customer over the age of 16.
• Alcohol may only be sold to customers over the age of 18. See selling alcohol.
• Christmas crackers may only be sold to customers over the age of 12.
• Crossbows can only be sold to customers over the age of 18.
• Fireworks – most fireworks may only be sold to customers over 18. Certain categories of low-hazard indoor fireworks may be sold to customers over 16. See selling fireworks. 
• Knives (including cutlery and kitchen knives) can only be sold to customers over the age of 18.
• Lighter refills containing butane must not be sold to anyone under the age of 18.
• National Lottery tickets and scratch cards can only be sold to customers over 18 years of age. People over the age of 16 may sell or purchase tickets for society lotteries, private lotteries and small lotteries at exempt entertainment.
• Nicotine-inhaling products – it is illegal to sell nicotine-inhaling products (including e-cigarettes/vapes or refills) to young people under the age of 18. See selling tobacco and nicotine-inhaling products.
• Sunbeds – young people under 18 years old may not use, hire or buy sunbeds.
• Tobacco – it is illegal to sell or display tobacco products to young people under the age of 18. See selling tobacco and nicotine inhaling products.​​​​​​​
• Video and games – videos and video games are classed into categories with different age restrictions. See selling age-restricted video and games.