Buy and consume
Follow these links to find out at what age you can…
Buy Aerosol Paint
We have also produced a legal guide At What Age Can I..? which you can buy from this link.
Buy Aerosol Paint
You can buy aerosol paint at 16 years. Although you can buy aerosol paint at this age, you must still be careful where you graffiti because you can be arrested or fined for criminal damage. Local authorities sometimes have ‘free walls’ where you can graffiti without getting into trouble. You can contact your local authority to ask where these are.
Drink Alcohol
You can buy and drink alcohol in a bar, pub or club from the age of 18.
From the age of 16 you can enter a bar on your own, but you can only buy non-alcoholic drinks- you will be breaking the law if you try to buy or drink alcohol in a bar, pub or club. If you are 16 and are with someone over the age of 18, you can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal.
Get a Body Piercing
You can get a body piercing from any age, although some shops might ask that your parent/s or guardian agree that it is ok before you can have a piercing.
Buy a Firearm
To buy a rifle you must possess a firearms certificate and be over 17. To buy a shotgun you must possess a shot gun certificate and be over 17. You can buy a firearm or ammunition from the age of 17 and can buy an air weapon and ammunition from the age of 18. You can possess an air weapon under the age of 18 if you are supervised by someone aged 21 or older, or if you are using it at a rifle club or shooting gallery. BUT NOTE that it is an offence to possess an unregistered firearm.
Buy Fireworks
You can buy fireworks from the age of 18.
Buy a Knife
You can buy a knife (knife blade, razor, axe or anything else with a blade or which has a sharp point) when you are 18 years old. BUT BE CAREFUL it is illegal to carry a knife whatever age you are!
Buy a Pet
You can buy a pet at the age of 16 years.
Smoke
You can buy cigarettes from the age of 18.
You can smoke cigarettes before you are 18, but if you are caught smoking by a police officer in uniform or a park keeper in any public place when you are under 16 then they can take your cigarettes off you.
Get a tattoo
You can get a tattoo from the age of 18.
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