ACS

ACS has responded to the Manifesto Club report '28 ¾: How Constant Age Checks Are Infantilising Adults' which criticises age verification policies retailers have in place.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Retailers have robust age verification policies in place to ensure that they comply with the laws surrounding age restricted sales.

“If a retailer or staff member does make a mistake, they face thousands of pounds worth of fines and in many cases risk having their right to sell tobacco, alcohol or lottery products taken away from them. Such an action would jeopardise the businesses and a retailer’s livelihood.

“Report such as these are unhelpful for staff members, who have a tough enough job as the front-line enforcers of age verification policies. There needs to be a strong message of support and encouragement for responsible retailers rather than attitudes which will just increase the risk of confrontation and abuse.”