Do vending machines check ID in the UK?

tony c

you will very rarely (if ever) come across a cigarette vending machine outside a bar in the UK-and these are watched like hawks (some even have cameras trained on them)-there's a fine for anyone selling cigarettes to minors and this includes allowing a minor to buy them from a vending machine on their property.

you would probably have to go underground to buy them-and these characters charge up to Â£6 for a packet of 20!.

i dare say when you come over to the UK for your summer course you will be eyeing up the local young men.

well as an englishman i can tell you that nothing annoys an english lad more (well the nice ones anyway!) than a smoker-apparently it's like "kissing an ashtray" and i have seen many a good-looking young girl dumped for her love of the ciggies-not worth it if you ask me.

when it comes to shops selling under the counter to minors as young as twelve-it won't happen with you because by the time you come over to the UK new laws will be enforced that tell shopkeepers "do it once and we will fine you heavily-do it twice and you lose your licence indefinetly"-nobody will be prepared to take the risk.

and of course being a young girl of 16 (and i am not trying to frighten you-this is fact) you may come across some of the more unsavoury characters who will expect you to do "favours" in return for cigarettes.

it wouldn't hurt you to stop!!.

Ben Dover

shops will id you if they dont think you are 18 but a machine cant id you.

Heather H

fag machine can't check ID, but they do check IDs if bought from a shop, thats why it's useful to always have an older looking friend about.

tek

ID is checked if you look under 18 when you buy from a shop counter. Many places however will probably serve you anyway but they are breaking the law. I know of a lot of places that 'turn a blind eye' and serve children as young as 12. Obviously I think this is awful but I'm just telling you what happens! Vending machines do not check ID but staff in the place where the vending machine is located could, however these people again normally turn a blind eye. Many family pubs have cigarette vending machines so you will have no problems going in them.

Although I do not condone the shop sellers etc breaking the law and selling to under 18's, nor am I saying you should go out and buy them, I am simply informing you that you will have no problems whatsoever purchasing cigarettes over here - albeit illegal for the people to sell them to you!

Also as I'm sure your aware, smoking is banned in all indoor public places in the UK. x

:) Lucy (:

The vending machine wont ask you how old you are, the person renting it might though!

Jessicaa

well every shop asks for id lol..by law you have to be 18, but if you look 25 or under you will get asked for ID anyways..
also there is hardly any vending machines that sell cigarettes soo good look in finding one lol.

I've never used one that has checked ID and I doubt they will in the future, but if the vending machines are in bars then the people that work there can ask you for ID.

GAVIN E

The only places that have cigarette vending machines, are places like pubs and clubs, and bingo halls etc that you need to be at least 18 to go in.

earth_chylde2002

they do check for id to buy ciggarettes, the machines do not however you mainly only get the machines in pubs/clubs which you are also to young to frequent...however many many underage smokers manage it over here. Im sure you'll find a way

however this could also be a great opportunity to give up....if you wanted x

Amethyst1978

No, vending machines in the UK dont check ID. Smoking is banned inside all public places here, but most places provide outside smoking areas.

Darylmh

Hey Julia

Never thought i would see some one from my country here :P

Anyways, In England the law is very strict concerning ID and you need it everywhere, if your buying things like alcohol and cigarettes. Its is now only at the age of 21 you can buy them from the shop with out ID so if your under 21 you need ID, and well vending machines don't check your ID cause they don't need to as they don't sell stuff like cigarettes, Well not in London anyway, Sorry

lil_lotta

NO.... but you will find that you can only find the machines in pub's.... so you have to get into the pub first!

But, try you luck... you might have no problem buying them in a shop!

ladedadeda...

I just got back from London and the only time I got my ID checked was at a dance club. Then again I'm 3 years older than you so who knows--but in pubs and stuff they didn't check it at all. So I HIGHLY doubt vending machines will...

nicole

id is checked in shops and supermarkets if you look under the age of 18 but vending machines don;t but their prices are always 20% higher and there will be people watching the vending machines to make sure underage smokers don't have access, but the machines thenselves do not check id!

Jackie <33

no<33

fritya56

I wouldn't want to encourage smoking but why not buy all you r cigs at duty free , thet way you get your favourite brand and at probably half the cost .

Amy S

In england you wont find many vending machines containing cigarettes.. you mostly buy them from shops.. where if you look under-age, you will have to show ID. If you look over 18 you will be fine. If you dont look under 18.. then im afraid you will not be able to buy your cigarettes.

Guy W

10 year olds smoke ciggies in the UK. You will have absolutely no trouble buying ciggies. Remember the UK government makes a lot of money out of smoking. Its motto is smoke, smoke, smoke let the tax role in. If it took smoking seriously it would make an effort to prosecute the people that sell ciggies to young people. It only pays lip service to it.

Edit:- teks answer sums it up.

Jellybean

In a shop they will ask for ID if you look under 25yrs old, as for vending machines you can only find them in pubs and you won't be allowed in them if you are under18yrs old.

jedidoughboy

nope

What you looking at ?

nope

meadowlee

yes they have little men inside that watch everyone using them. If your under age they phone the law or grab you by the hand. WATCH OUT!!!!!!!

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