Illegal sales of aerosols containing solvents took place in 95% of shops checked by a survey in Derbyshire. Youngsters aged between 13 and 15 carried out the tests in 20 outlets for the county's trading standards service.
Nineteen stores sold six or more cans of aerosols to the teenagers, even though it is against the law to sell them to people under 18.
County councillor Walter Burrows said: "The law exists to protect young people from injury and harm."
'Prevent tragedy'
The underage volunteers made attempts to purchase the items at retail outlets in the Derbyshire Dales, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover districts.
Products and household items that can be classed as solvents, and can be abused by sniffing, include solvent-based glue, correction fluid and thinner, marker pens and hair spray.
Mr Burrows, cabinet member for public protection and transport, said: "We urge retailers to make sure they do not fall foul of the law by making sure they ask for proof of age if they are not certain that the purchaser is old enough."
"We want to prevent tragedy which can happen when these solvents fall into the wrong hands."
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