Bath MP Don Foster has signed an Early Day Motion backing the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group for their ‘Challenge 25’ policy.

Challenge 25 will require all those over 18 but under 25 to carry photo ID if they wish to purchase alcohol.  The new threshold is also designed to assist efforts to combat proxy purchase – where young adults purchase alcohol on behalf of underage friends.

Don said, “The major retailers that are part of this group should be praised for continuing to step up the battle against under-age drinking.  We know that front-line staff want to be able to challenge customers more widely and this scheme will ensure that all those under 25 will expect to be challenged when purchasing alcohol.
 

It is good to see retailers taking a responsible and proactive attitude to this problem.  I know one chain of stores in Bath have run a ‘Challenge 30’ scheme in the past, which proved to be very popular with residents. We hope to see the ‘Challenge 25’ branding displayed widely across Bath in the near future.