United Kingdom Legislation

1.

Prohibition of tattooing of minors.

It shall be an offence to tattoo a person under the age of eighteen except when the tattoo is performed for medical reasons by a duly qualified medical practioner or by a person working under his direction, but it shall be a defence for a person charged to show that at the time the tattoo was performed he had reasonable cause to believe that the person tattooed was of or over the age of eighteen and did in fact so believe.

2.

Penalties.

Any person committing such an offence shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [ F1 fifty pounds ] [  F1 level 3 on the standard scale ] , or, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding one [ F1 hundred pounds ] [  F1 level 3 on the standard scale ] .

3.

Definition.

For the purposes of this Act “ Tattoo ” shall mean the insertion into the skin of any colouring material designed to leave a permanent mark.

4.

Short title, commencement and extent.

— (1) This Act may be cited as the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969. (2) This Act shall come into force at the expiration of one month beginning with the date it is passed. (3) This Act shall not extend to Northern Ireland.