Age related sales
The Protection of Children (Restriction on Supply of Goods) (Jersey) Law 2009 enables the States of Jersey to make regulations which can be used to restrict the supply of certain goods to any persons under the age of 18 years. ‘Supply’ includes the act of selling and making a gift.
Offences and penalties
Anyone who supplies goods that may breach any of the regulations made under the law will be liable to imprisonment for a term of 12 months and an unlimited fine.
Trading Standards Officers are the authorised enforcement officers. It’s an offence to obstruct them when they are carrying out their enforcement duties. This includes not providing assistance or information that they may reasonably require.
Cigarette lighter refill canisters
The Protection of Children (Cigarette Lighter Refill) (Jersey) Regulations 2009 restrict the sale of cigarette lighter refill canisters containing butane, or containing a substance with butane as a constituent part, to any person under the age of 18 years. This is because there is potential for abuse of the product by 'sniffing' the gas. This is extremely dangerous.
Nicotine inhaling products
The Protection of Children (Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Jersey) Regulations 2016 restrict the sale of products commonly known as ‘e-cigarettes’, vaporisers or their component parts to any person under the age of 18 .
The regulations cover disposable, rechargeable and tank types. They protect under-18s from unknown long term health risks and exposure to addictive nicotine.
These regulations come into force on 3 May 2016.
There is an exception for nicotine inhaling products that are licensed as medicines or medical devices. This exemption only applies to the extent to which the product is authorised.
Preventing underage sales
The Association of Convenience Stores in the UK have produced a guide to ‘preventing underage sales’. The guidance is for UK retailers, but is suitable for use in Jersey and can help you to comply with Jersey regulations. It provides information on preventing sales, proof of age, staff training and record keeping.
Advice on the Association of Convenience Stores website
Protection of Children (Restriction on Supply of Goods) (Jersey) Law 2009 on the Jersey Law website
Protection of Children (Cigarette Lighter Refill) (Jersey) Regulations 2009 on the Jersey Law website
Protection of Children (Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Jersey) Regulations 2016 on the States Assembly website (228kb)
gov.je